Violant of Bar

(North of France, 1365 - Bellesguard Castle, Barcelona July 3, 1431) was Duchess consort of Girona and Countess of Cervera consort and then Queen consort of Aragon, Valencia, Majorca, Sardinia and of Corsica. Duchess consort of Athens and Neopatria and Countess consort of Barcelona, ​​Roussillon and Cerdanya.

Nuptials and descendants:

In 1379, in Montpellier, she was promised in marriage to Prince John, Duke of Girona and Count of Cervera (then a widower of his first wife), against the will of King Peter III "the ceremonious" (he wanted to marry his heir with Mary of Sicily to consolidate Catalan influence in this last kingdom). Despite this, the marriage took place in 1390, in Perpignan.

From her marriage to John I of Aragon "The Hunter", were born: 

- Prince James of Aragón. Prince of Girona (heir) and Count of Cervera. Died at age 6. 

- Princess Violant of Aragon. Queen Consort of Naples. 

- Prince Ferdinand of Aragon. Prince of Girona (heir) and Count of Cervera. Died a few days after birth. 

- Princess Antoinette of Aragon. Died a year old. 

- Princess Eleanor of Aragon. Stillborn. 

- Prince Peter of Aragon. Prince of Girona (heir) and Count of Cervera. He died a few months after birth. 

- Princess Johanna of Aragon. Stillborn.

The Queen.

She had a very good relationship with her husband, but a very stormy relationship with her parents in-law, especially with the last wife of King Peter III, Sibyl of Fortiá. The conflict grew to such proportions that parties were created around each representative lady actually different factions of the nobility. It ended on 5 January 1387 with the death of King Peter and the ascent to the throne of John and herself. The new monarch sent imprison Sibyl, the dispossessed of all their property (property which his father had given her) and were transferred there his wife Violant.

Thereafter, she and her husband began a life of refinement and luxury, in imitation of the great French courts. During this period, Violant, favored a strong cultural relations with France, especially in the areas of literacy, music and art.

But the economic cost of the new orientation of the aristocratic monarchy did not adhere to the possibilities of the income as the king entered. John won, then the name of "The Poor", a name with which he passed on to posterity.

In 1396, a hunting accident killed John. The king died without male issue and the crown belonged to his brother, Martin. Those who were opposed to the situation with the Consell de Cent of Barcelona in header, moved quickly and, as Martin was in Sicily, gave their support to the new queen, Mary de Luna, who took the reins energy and the government initiated a process against the Queen Violant. To protect and save time, the Dowager Queen Violant said being pregnant, but soon was discovered her lie. The reign lasted just nine years.

Royalty responsibilities, but after a long judicial process that led to the death of some of her former colleagues and Bernat Metge to write one of the most important works of Catalan literature "The Dream", where the figure of the queen is glossed, the widow queen concentrated on educating the only child he had left, the Princess Violant of Aragon.

Posterity.

In the literary work of Bernat Metge, "The Dream" is said about her:

"That could mean, to be a good storyteller , the virtues of Queen Violante , wife of my lord , who here is ? With me I do not have enough, but I will tell you briefly ( as I have recently ) what I can . the feminine nature is naturally inclined to avarice and my queen, against nature, is the most liberal woman I've ever seen. Busa Cannesa , Quintus Fabius Maximus and Gilias , who in my opinion were superlatively liberal and were very greedy with it. His house has been , and still is, a temple of freedom, women much more busy in giving than in receiving Lady of great subtlety , great understanding, entrepreneurial large azañas not think any person of the living world I take advantage, . and I wish that I grant his wisdom, that Great Lady who have served long . If you hear of conjugal love , and after this, this woman does not make you unique references , do not be a distinguished historian who do not mention it , they know that there are few women like her. "