Alfonso XI of Castile

Alfonso XI
An artist's depiction of Alfonso
King of Castile and León
Reign	7 September 1312 – 26 October 1350
Coronation	13 August 1325
Predecessor	Ferdinand IV
Successor	Peter
Regents	Constance of Portugal (1312–13) Peter, Lord of Cameros and John, Lord of Valencia de Campos (1313–19) María de Molina (1319–1321) Philip, Lord of Cabrera and Ribera (1321–25)
Born	13 August 1311 Salamanca, Crown of Castile
Died	26 October 1350(1350-10-26) (aged 39) Gibraltar, Emirate of Granada
Burial	26 November 1350 Royal Collegiate Church of Saint Hippolytus
Spouse	Constanza Manuel (m. 1325; div. 1327) Maria of Portugal (m. 1328)
Issue	Peter, King of Castile Illegitimate: Henry II, King of Castile Fadrique, Lord of Haro Tello, Lord of Aguilar de Campoo Sancho, Count of Alburquerque
House	Castilian House of Ivrea
Father	Ferdinand IV of Castile
Mother	Constance of Portugal
Religion	Roman Catholicism
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Alfonso XI (13 August 1311 – 26 October 1350) nicknamed the Avenger (Spanish: el Justiciero) was the King of Castile and León from 1312 until his death in 1350. His long 38-year reign was one of the most successful in the history of Castile. Like his predecessors, Alfonso was very active in the Reconquista. He conquered Granadans and Marinids after his victory at the Battle of Río Salado in 1340. He also gained control over the Strait of Gibraltar.

Alfonso became king after the death of his father, King Ferdinand IV, in 1312 where Alfonso was only one-year old at the time. During Alfonso's minority, 6 people held the regency: Constance of Portugal, Alfonso's mother, Peter, Lord of Cameros, Alfonso's uncle , John, Lord of Valencia de Campos, Alfonso's granduncle, María de Molina, Alfonso's grandmother, and Philip, Lord of Cabrera and Ribera, Alfonso's other uncle and the brother of Peter.

On Alfonso's 14th birthday on 13 August 1325, he was crowned and his effective rule began. He was a very strong king as he made many successes in the Reconquista. He was also very popular among the Castilians as well as at the end of his rule, Castile was thriving and was one of the most powerful kingdoms in the Iberian Peninsula. During his rule, the Black Death strucked Europe as well. Alfonso died as a result of the pandemic on 26 October 1350 in Gibraltar at the age of 39. He was succeeded by his 16-year old son, Peter.