Individual Details

Alfonso IX LEÓN

(15 Aug 1171 - Sep 1230)

According to Ibn Khaldun (1332–1406), he is said to have been called the Baboso or Slobberer because he was subject to fits of rage during which he foamed at the mouth. The convening of the Cortes de León in the cloisters of the Basilica of San Isidoro would be one of the most important events of Alfonso's reign. The difficult economic situation at the beginning of his reign compelled Alfonso to raise taxes on the underprivileged classes, leading to protests and a few towns revolts. In response the king summoned the Cortes, an assembly of nobles, clergy and representatives of cities, and subsequently faced demands for compensatory spending and greater external control and oversight of royal expenditures. Alfonso's convening of the Cortes is considered by many historians to be instrumental to the formation democratic parliaments across Europe.

Events

Birth15 Aug 1171
DeathSep 1230

Families

ChildFerdinand III CASTILE (1199 - 1252)
FatherFerdinand II LEÓN (1137 - 1188)