Beatrix of Rethel

Beatrix of Rethel (b. ca. 1131 – died 30 March, 1185) was the third Queen consort of Roger II of Sicily.

Family

She was a daughter of Ithier, Count of Rethel and Beatrix of Namur. Her father was Count of Rethel from 1158 to 1171.

Ithier was a son of Matilda, Countess of Rethel, last reigning member of the First House of Rethel by her husband and co-ruler Eudes of Vitry, Count of Rethel. His parents were co-rulers of Rethel from 1124 to the death of Matilda in 1151. Eudes was the only ruler to his own death in 1158. Their male-line descendants were the Second House of Rethel.

Matilda was a sister of Gervais, Count of Rethel, Baldwin II of Jerusalem, Hodierne of Rethel (wife to Roger of Salerno) and Beatrice of Rethel (wife of Leo I of Armenia). Their parents were Hugh I, Count of Rethel and Melisende of Montlhéry.

Melisende was a daughter of Guy I of Montlhéry and his wife Hodierna of Gometz.

Marriage

In 1151, Beatrix married Roger II of Sicily. Roger died on 26 February, 1154 following three years of marriage. Their only daughter was born following his death:

*Constance of Sicily (b. 2 November 1154 – d. 27 November, 1198). Married Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor.

The Queen Dowager survived her husband by thirty-one years bit is not known to have married again. Her daughter Constance became Queen regnant of the Kingdom of Sicily on 25 December, 1194.

External links

* [http://genealogy.euweb.cz/crus/rethel2.html#BI A listing of descendants of Matilda of Rethel]