ALPHONSO IX. (1188--1230) of Leon, first cousin of Alphonso
VIII. of Castile, and numbered next to him as being a junior
member of the family (see the article
Spain for the division
of the kingdom and the relationship), is said by Ibn Khaldun
to have been called the "Baboso" or Slobberer, because he
was subject to fits of rage during which he foamed at the
mouth. Though he took a part in the work of the reconquest,
this king is chiefly remembered by the difficulties into which
his successive marriages led him with the pope. He was first
married to his cousin Teresa of Portugal, who bore him two
daughters, and a son who died young. The marriage was declared
null by the pope, to whom Alphonso paid no attention till he
was presumably tired of his wife. It cannot have been his
conscience which constrained him to leave Teresa, for his next
step was to marry Berengaria of Castile, who was his second
cousin. For this act of contumacy the king and kingdom were
placed under interdict. The pope was, however, compelled to
modify his measures by the threat that if the people could
not obtain the services of religion they would not support the
clergy, and that heresy would spread. The king was left under
interdict personally, but to that he showed himself indifferent,
and he had the support of his clergy. Berengaria left him
after the birth of five children, and the king then returned
to Teresa, to whose daughters he left his kingdom by will.
Initial text from 1911 encyclopedia -- Please update as needed
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