Ramiro II of Aragon (d. 1157)

Ramiro II, often remembered as "the Monk," occupied the Aragonese throne for a brief yet pivotal period from 1134 to 1137, a reign that fundamentally reshaped the Iberian Peninsula's political landscape. Born on 24 April 1086, he was destined for the monastic life from a young age, a stark contrast to the martial paths often taken by royalty in his era. His early life was spent in the quiet contemplation of monasteries, including the Benedictine abbey of Saint Pons de Thomières and possibly Cluny, preparing him for an ecclesiastical career, not kingship. His later years were equally serene, passing away on 16 August 1157, long after his active rule had concluded.

From Cloister to Crown: A Reluctant King

The call to secular power came abruptly for Ramiro, disrupting his monastic vows and placing an immense burden upon his shoulders. His elder brother, Alfonso I, known to history as "the Battler" for his relentless campaigns against the Moors, died childless in 1134 during the siege of Fraga. Alfonso's controversial will had bequeathed his kingdom to the military orders – the Knights Templar, the Knights Hospitaller, and the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre. This unprecedented decision plunged the Kingdom of Aragon into a profound dynastic and political crisis. The Aragonese nobility, unwilling to see their realm dissolved or controlled by foreign military orders, swiftly rejected Alfonso's will. Faced with a choice between instability and the continuity of the royal line, their gaze turned to Ramiro, the last surviving legitimate son of King Sancho Ramírez.

Despite his monastic vows and complete lack of experience in secular governance or warfare, Ramiro was elected king by the powerful Aragonese nobles. It was an act of desperation, yet also one of hope, to preserve the kingdom's independence and its dynastic succession. Ramiro reluctantly ascended to the throne, becoming Ramiro II, tasked with navigating a kingdom surrounded by powerful rivals and internal dissent, all while upholding his oath as a consecrated man.

The Great Marriage: Securing the Future of Aragon

Ramiro's brief reign was singularly focused on securing the future of Aragon, primarily through an heir and a strategic alliance. Recognizing the urgent need for a legitimate successor to prevent further dynastic crises, Ramiro sought a papal dispensation to marry. He wed Agnes of Aquitaine in 1135, and a year later, their only child, Petronilla, was born. With an heir secured, Ramiro immediately set about forging the most significant alliance of his reign, one that would redefine the political map of the Iberian Peninsula.

In 1137, at just one year old, Princess Petronilla was betrothed to Ramon Berenguer IV, the dynamic and capable Count of Barcelona. This wasn't merely a marriage alliance; it was a carefully orchestrated political union. Ramon Berenguer IV, a skilled diplomat and military leader, brought the economic prosperity and naval power of the Catalan counties to the table. The agreement, known as the "Casamiento en Casa" (marriage in the house), was designed to merge the two realms while preserving their distinct laws, customs, and institutions. Ramiro invested Ramon Berenguer with the dignity of "Prince of Aragon" and the command of the Aragonese military, effectively transferring governmental power to his son-in-law.

This union was the foundational act for the powerful entity that would come to be known as the Crown of Aragon. It was a masterstroke, uniting the inland, militarily strong Kingdom of Aragon with the maritime, commercially vibrant County of Barcelona, creating a formidable force that would eventually expand across the Mediterranean and become one of Europe's major medieval powers.

Withdrawal and Legacy

Having secured the dynastic future of Aragon and established a robust political alliance, Ramiro II, the reluctant king, fulfilled his unexpected duty. Just three years after his ascent, in November 1137, he formally withdrew from public life, essentially abdicating the throne in all but name. He entrusted the governance of the kingdom to Ramon Berenguer IV, who assumed the full royal powers, though Ramiro retained the title of king until his death. He retired to the monastery of San Pedro el Viejo in Huesca, where he lived out his remaining years in quiet monastic contemplation, returning to the spiritual life he had been forced to abandon. His strategic foresight, particularly in arranging Petronilla's marriage, averted civil war, preserved Aragonese independence, and laid the cornerstone for centuries of expansion and influence under the Crown of Aragon. Ramiro II, "the Monk," despite his brief and unconventional rule, proved to be one of Aragon's most consequential monarchs.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ramiro II, "the Monk"

Who was Ramiro II and why was he called "the Monk"?
Ramiro II was the King of Aragon from 1134 to 1137. He earned the moniker "the Monk" because he had spent most of his life as a Benedictine monk, having been designated for an ecclesiastical career from a young age, before being unexpectedly called upon to rule the kingdom.
Why was Ramiro II, a monk, chosen to be king?
He was chosen out of necessity and to prevent a dynastic crisis. His elder brother, Alfonso I "the Battler," died childless and controversially willed the kingdom to military orders. The Aragonese nobility rejected this will and, seeking to preserve the kingdom and its royal line, elected Ramiro as the last surviving legitimate son of the royal family.
What was the most significant achievement of Ramiro II's reign?
His most significant achievement was arranging the marriage of his infant daughter, Petronilla, to Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Barcelona. This strategic union effectively unified the Kingdom of Aragon with the County of Barcelona, laying the foundation for the powerful entity known as the Crown of Aragon.
Why did Ramiro II rule for such a short period (1134-1137)?
Ramiro's primary goal was to secure an heir and ensure the kingdom's future. Once his daughter Petronilla was born and successfully betrothed to Ramon Berenguer IV, he had fulfilled his immediate duty. Being a reluctant king from the outset, he withdrew from public life in 1137, effectively abdicating to allow his son-in-law to govern, and returned to monastic life.
What was the Crown of Aragon?
The Crown of Aragon was a composite monarchy formed by the dynastic union of the Kingdom of Aragon and the County of Barcelona in 1137, established through the marriage arranged by Ramiro II. Over centuries, it expanded to include many other territories, becoming a major Mediterranean power with a vast commercial and military reach, while maintaining the distinct laws and customs of its constituent parts.