Blanche I of Navarre

Queen regnant of Navarre

Upon her return to Navarre, Blanche was sworn in as heir to the throne in Olite the 28 October 1415 and was given allegiance by the lords. On 6 November 1419, Blanche married her second husband, John, duke of Peñafiel, the second son of Ferdinand I of Aragon and Eleanor of Alburquerque, by proxy in Olite. Ferdinand had succeeded his maternal uncle Martin I in 1412.

John travelled to meet her. On 10 July 1420, they were married in person in Pamplona. The couple first lived in Peñafiel, but were called to live in Navarre by her father in 1422.

Charles III died on 8 September 1425 and Blanche succeeded him as Queen regnant of Navarre. John became King of Navarre in her right as John II, and the couple were crowned together in Pamplona 15 May 1429.

Pilgrimage to Santa María del Pilar

Juan Vélaz de Medrano, Lord of Igúzquiza, royal chamberlain of the King John II of Aragon, accompanied Queen Blanche I on a pilgrimage to Santa María del Pilar in 1433. During this pilgrimage, they all wore mantles displaying the Pillar's livery. She used this occasion to establish a brotherhood inspired by chivalric traditions, admitting the prince, fifteen men, and nine women. Members wore blue sashes adorned with a gold pillar enameled in white, encircled by the motto "A ti me arrimo" (I lean on you). They committed to regular fasting, vigil observances, prayer, and giving alms.

Death

Blanche died in Santa María la Real de Nieva in 1441. After her death, John kept the government of Navarre in his own hands, from the hands of their own son Charles of Viana, the rightful heir of the line of Navarrese kings. He would become King of Aragon and King of Sicily upon the death of his elder brother Alfonso V of Aragon in 1458.

Issue

Blanche and Martin had one child together:

Infante Martin of Aragon and Sicily (1406–1407)

Blanche and John II of Aragon had four children together:

Charles (IV) of Navarre (1421–1461)

Joan of Navarre (1423 – 22 August 1425)

Blanche (II) of Navarre (1424–1464), married Henry IV of Castile. The marriage was never consummated. After 13 years of marriage, Henry sought and obtained a divorce. Blanca was sent home, where her family imprisoned her, and she was later killed by poison.

Eleanor (1426–1479) Queen of Navarre (1479)

Commemoration

The Spanish Navy screw frigate Reina Blanca, often called simply Blanca, commissioned in 1859 and scrapped in 1893, was named for Blanche I of Navarre.