Alfonso IX of León
| Alfonso IX | |
|---|---|
Depiction on the Tumbo A cartulary of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela | |
| King of León and Galicia | |
| Reign | 22 January 1188 – 24 September 1230 |
| Predecessor | Ferdinand II |
| Successor | Sancha and Dulce (de jure) Ferdinand III (de facto) |
| Born | 15 August 1171 Zamora |
| Died | 23/24 September 1230 (aged 59) Villanueva de Sarria |
| Burial | |
| Spouse | |
| Issue among others... | |
| House | Castilian House of Ivrea |
| Father | Ferdinand II of León and Galicia |
| Mother | Urraca of Portugal |
Alfonso IX (15 August 1171 – 23 or 24 September 1230) was King of León from the death of his father Ferdinand II in 1188 until his own death.
He took steps towards modernizing and democratizing his dominion and founded the University of Salamanca in 1218. In 1188 he summoned the first parliament reflecting the fullest representation of the citizenry ever seen in Western Europe, the Cortes of León.
Alfonso took part in the Reconquista, conquering several territories within Extremadura, capturing Mérida and Badajoz in 1230, which allowed for the eventual conquest of Seville during the reign of his son Ferdinand III. He was also involved in numerous conflicts with Pope Celestine III, being interdicted on account of the nature of his marriages.