Description

Born the son and heir of Sancho VI of Navarre in 1157, Sancho VII would rule as an intelligent and able king from 1194 until 1234. His height and robust build earned ‘The Strong’ title.
A friend and ally of England’s King Richard I, ‘Lionheart,’ Sancho’s sister Berengaria married King Richard just as he departed for the Third Crusade.
In his early years Sancho was a warrior king who fought in many engagements in Europe and Africa. In 1212 battles against the Muslim-occupied territories in Spain, Sancho’s forces cut the chains guarding enemy facilities. It is believed this action became the Navarre kingdom’s heraldry symbol. The Navarre coat of arms would become golden chains on a gules (red) field.
Sancho died in 1234 leaving a wealthy and well-run kingdom.