Christina of Norway, Infanta of Castile. She was born in Bergen on 1234 and was the daughter of Håkon IV and his wife, Margrete Skuledotter. Eager to obtain an alliance with the Kingdom of Norway, Alfonso X of Castile sought Christinas hand in marriage for one of his three brothers. The Norwegians, aware of the advantageous match, agreed. Christina left Norway on the summer of 1257, bringing with her a procession of 100 people. Alfonso X welcomed her upon her arrival in Palencia, and on 4 January 1258, they arrived in Vallaloid. Christina received a warm welcome from the city and lavish celebrations were made in her honor. On meeting the kings brothers, Christina chose the Prince Felipe, who had no reservations accepting the hand of a beautiful princess in marriage. Their wedding took place on 31 March 1258, the Sunday following Easter. Theirs was a happy marriage but cut short due to Christinas death four years later. She died childless in Seville at the age of twenty-eight. As a result of their marriage the cities of Tønsberg and Covarrubias established a friendly connection. A statue of Infanta Christina by artist Brit Sørensen was erected in Covarrubias in 1978, and a copy was later placed in Tønsberg. Covarrubias became a sort of pilgrimage for Norwegians, eager to visit the final resting place of a beloved Norwegian princess. -Lady Georgiana
Posted on: Thu, 22 Jan 2015 20:00:00 +0000
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