Elvira of Castile, Queen of Sicily

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Elvira of Castile (c. 11008 February 1135) was a daughter of Alfonso VI of Castile by his fourth queen, Isabel (perhaps identical to the Moslem convert Zaida, baptized as Isabel, who had been Alfonso's mistress).

Elvira married Roger II of Sicily in 1117, but only infrequently saw him thereafter, for he was much preoccupied with rebellions on the Italian Peninsula and she stayed with her children in Palermo the capital. Despite this, the marriage was undoubtedly happy, for she bore Roger five sons before she died in 1135. Her death put Roger in such a deep depression that he was thought dead, he was so reclusive.

Their sons were:

  1. Roger (died 12 May 1148), heir, Duke of Apulia (from 1135), possibly also Count of Lecce.
  2. Tancred (died 1138), Prince of Bari (from 1135).
  3. Alfonso (died 1144), Prince of Capua (from 1135) and Duke of Naples.
  4. William (died 7 May 1166), his successor, Duke of Apulia (from 1148).
  5. Henry, died in infancy.
Preceded by
New title
Queen Consort of Sicily
11308 February 1135
Succeeded by
Sibyl of Burgundy