Petronilla, Countess of Bigorre

Petronilla of Bigorre or Petronilla of Comminges was the only child of Bernhard IV, Count of Comminges and his wife StephanieBeatrice IV, Countess of Bigorre. Petronilla succeeded her mother in 1194 as Countess of Bigorre, she was also Viscountess of Marsan and Nbouzan through further successions. She reigned as countess for fiftyseven years, in which time she was married five times.

Petronilla was born around 1184 as the only child of her parents, therefore she was their heir. As a child Petronilla was at the centre of political plans first conducted by her father who acted as regent after the death of StephanieBeatrice. However, Petronillas guardianship was soon handed over to Alfonso II of Aragon who had Petronilla betrothed and married to one of his allies Gaston VI, Viscount of Barn in early 1196. Gaston ruled jointly with Petronilla over Bigorre. The couple remained childless, Gaston participated in the fortyfive year Albigensian Crusade, a time in which he lost favour he was excommunicated by the Council of Vabres and his territories declared forfeit by the pope.

Source: Wikipedia