Sanchia of Provence

Sanchia of Provence was born around 1225 and became Queen of the Romans from 1257 until her death in 1261 as the wife of King Richard. She was the third daughter of Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Provence, and Beatrice of Savoy. In 1243, Sanchia married Richard, who was then an English prince and Earl of Cornwall. She was crowned Queen of the Romans at Aachen Cathedral in 1257, following her husband’s election as King of the Romans.

Sanchia had two sons with Richard of Cornwall. She died on 9 November 1261 at Berkhamsted Castle and was buried at Hailes Abbey. Her marriage to Richard and the marriages of her sisters to other European royalty improved relations between France and England, contributing to the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1259.