Alfonso II, Count of Provence explained

Alfonso II
Succession:Count of Provence
Reign:1185–1209
Predecessor:Sancho
Successor:Ramon Berenguer IV
Spouse:Garsenda II of Sabran
Issue:Ramon Berenguer IV
Garsenda of Provence, Viscountess of Béarn
House:Barcelona
Father:Alfonso II of Aragon
Mother:Sancha of Castile
Birth Date:1180
Birth Place:Barcelona, Principality of Catalonia, Crown of Aragon
Death Date:2 February 1209 (aged 28–29)
Death Place:Palermo, Kingdom of Sicily

Alfonso II (1180 – 2 February 1209) was the second son of Alfonso II of Aragon (who was Alfonso I of Provence) and Sancha of Castile. His father transferred the County of Provence from his uncle Sancho to him in 1185. Alfonso II was born in Barcelona.

In 1193, Alfonso married Gersenda II of Sabran, daughter of Rainou, Count of Forcalquier of the House of Sabran and Gersend of Forcalquier, daughter of William IV of Forcalquier. Garsenda was named after her mother, who was the heiress of William IV, but predeceased him. Garsenda therefore inherited Forcalquier from her grandfather. She was only thirteen years of age when, in 1193, her grandfather William IV and Alfonso II signed the Treaty of Aix whereby Garsenda would inherit William's county and would marry Alfonso, who was in line to become Count of Provence. The marriage took place at Aix-en-Provence in July 1193.

Their son was Ramon Berenguer IV as count of Provence. Their daughter, Garsenda, married Guillermo II de Montcada, and bore him two children, including Gaston VII, Viscount of Béarn.

According to explanations in the manuscripts of Gaucelm Faidit's poems, Alfonso was a rival of the troubadour for the love of Jourdaine d'Embrun.

Alfonso II died in Palermo, Sicily, while accompanying his sister Constance to her wedding with Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor,.

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