# Maria of Aragon

> Queen of Castile

**Wikidata**: [Q534501](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q534501)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_of_Aragon,_Queen_of_Castile)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/maria-of-aragon-q534501

## Summary
Maria of Aragon was Queen of Castile as the wife of King John II of Castile. She was a member of the House of Trastámara and played a significant role in the political landscape of 15th-century Iberia.

## Biography
- Born: 1403
- Nationality: Crown of Castile
- Education: Not specified
- Known for: Queen consort of Castile
- Employer(s): Crown of Castile
- Field(s): Royalty, nobility

## Contributions
As Queen of Castile, Maria of Aragon contributed to the political stability and governance of the kingdom during her husband's reign. She bore children who would become important figures in Iberian history, including Henry IV of Castile. Her role as queen consort involved supporting her husband's rule and managing court affairs.

## FAQs
What was Maria of Aragon's role as Queen of Castile?
Maria of Aragon served as queen consort to King John II of Castile, supporting her husband's reign and managing court affairs. She bore children who would become significant figures in Iberian history.

When did Maria of Aragon live?
Maria of Aragon was born in 1403 and died on February 18, 1445. Her life spanned a crucial period in the history of the Crown of Castile.

What was Maria of Aragon's family background?
Maria of Aragon was a member of the House of Trastámara, a royal dynasty that ruled in the Crown of Castile and the Crown of Aragon. She was part of the Infantes of Aragon lineage.

## Why They Matter
Maria of Aragon's significance lies in her role as queen consort during a pivotal period in Castilian history. Her marriage to John II helped strengthen political alliances between the crowns of Castile and Aragon. As the mother of Henry IV of Castile, she contributed to the royal lineage that would shape the future of the Iberian Peninsula.

## Notable For
- Queen consort of Castile from her marriage to John II
- Member of the influential House of Trastámara
- Mother of Henry IV of Castile
- Part of the Infantes of Aragon lineage
- Buried in the Monastery of Santa María de Guadalupe

## Body
### Early Life and Family Background
Maria of Aragon was born in 1403 into the powerful House of Trastámara, a royal dynasty that ruled over the Crown of Castile and later the Crown of Aragon. She was part of the Infantes of Aragon lineage, which consisted of the children born from the marriage of King Ferdinand I of Aragon with his aunt Leonor de Alburquerque. This prestigious lineage positioned her for a significant role in the political marriages that shaped Iberian politics.

### Marriage and Queenship
Maria married John II of Castile, becoming Queen of Castile. Her marriage represented an important political alliance between the crowns of Castile and Aragon, strengthening the ties between these two powerful Iberian kingdoms. As queen consort, she would have been responsible for managing court affairs, supporting her husband's rule, and potentially acting as regent during his absences.

### Children and Legacy
Maria bore children who would become important figures in Castilian history. Most notably, she was the mother of Henry IV of Castile, who would later become king. Through her children, Maria's influence extended beyond her lifetime, as her descendants would continue to shape the political landscape of the Iberian Peninsula.

### Death and Burial
Maria of Aragon died on February 18, 1445. She was buried in the Monastery of Santa María de Guadalupe in Cáceres, a significant religious site in Spain. Her burial place reflects her status as queen and the importance of religious institutions in royal funerary practices of the period.

### Historical Context
Maria lived during a transformative period in Iberian history, when the various Christian kingdoms were consolidating their power and moving toward unification. The Crown of Castile, where she served as queen, was a major political entity that would eventually merge with other kingdoms to form modern Spain. Her life coincided with the later stages of the Reconquista and the early developments that would lead to Spain's emergence as a global power.

## References

1. Source
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Library of Congress Authorities
4. [Source](https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=156057563)
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. Great Aragonese Encyclopedia
7. FactGrid