The First Queen of Portugal and the Algarve (1160–1198)
According to the 19th-century writer Luciano Cordeiro, Dulce of Aragón was “Formosa e excellente senhora, tranquilla e modesta, condizente no carácter com o nome.” / “A beautiful and excellent lady, quiet and modest, her personality coinciding with her name.” (’Dulce’ means ‘sweet’.)
King Sancho I, the second king of Portugal, consolidated the nascent kingdom with his conquest of the Algarve. Under Moorish rule and influence for centuries, the Algarve was a strategically important Atlantic area with access to valuable strategic resources, including its fisheries and agricultural lands.
Though often overshadowed by the towering figures of her husband King Sancho I, and their sons, the queen-consort Dulce of Aragon holds a significant place in Iberian Peninsula history. As the first queen of Portugal and the Algarve, Dulce played a crucial role in solidifying the new kingdom and establishing a dynasty that would shape the nation for centuries. Though not as extensively documented as some of her contemporaries, her life reveals a woman of strength, piety and political importance.
Born infanta (a princess) of Aragon, Dulce’s marriage to the infante Sancho of Portugal was a strategic alliance designed to strengthen Portugal’s position against its powerful neighbours, Castile and León. At the age of 11 she was betrothed, and by 14 she was already married, a testament to the political realities of the time. While the union was undoubtedly political, it proved to be a fruitful one, producing 11 children, with eight of them surviving to adulthood. These royal blood children would play significant roles in Portuguese and European politics, further cementing Queen Dulce’s legacy.
Beyond her role as consort and mother, Dulce also held political significance. As queen, she would have wielded considerable influence at court, advising her husband and participating in important decisions. While the extent of her political power may be debated, her position as queen undoubtedly provided her with a platform to shape the kingdom. Moreover, her marriage to Sancho I solidified the alliance between Portugal and Aragon, ensuring a degree of stability and security for the fledgling nation.
Understanding that a stable and loyal population was essential to securing the Algarve, King Sancho encouraged Christians from other parts of Portugal and abroad to settle in the newly conquered lands, earning him the nickname ‘the populator’. His innovative policy quickly contributed to the region’s economic development and the consolidation of Portugal as an independent kingdom.
The queen’s contribution to establishing the Algarve as part of the Portuguese crown is particularly noteworthy. She played an important role in integrating this newly conquered territory into the kingdom, a crucial step in consolidating Portuguese power in the south and securing wider access to the sea.
Dulce was a woman of influence in both Aragon and Portugal, navigating the treacherous waters of medieval European politics. As a mother, a devout Catholic, and a politician, her legacy reminds us of women’s contributions to medieval history, even in the shadow of their powerful husbands or sons. Her story is a testament to the strength, determination and enduring power of queens, not just as consorts but as influential figures in their own right.
Queen Dulce’s life offers a fascinating glimpse into the challenges and opportunities faced by women of power in the 12th century. Despite the limitations imposed by societal norms, women like Dulce of Aragón were able to navigate complex political landscapes and leave a lasting legacy.
Did you know?
Sancho I used the title ‘King of Silves’ after the first conquest of the city of Silves in 1189. He used the title until he lost the territory to Almohad control in 1191. By the time his grandson, King Afonso III, came to the throne the rest of the Algarve had finally been conquered, so the title ‘King of Portugal and the Algarve’ became part of the titles and honours of the Portuguese Crown.
