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During his lifetime, Frederick celebrated an impressive four weddings: almost all of them took place for political purposes, with the exception of the last to Bianca Lancia. The first marriage to Constance of Aragon took place in 1209 at the behest of Pope Innocent III; Frederick was only fifteen years old. By placing him with a woman much older than himself and very religious, the pontiff's hope was to steer the young man toward devotion to the Roman Church. However, the intent was unsuccessful. Constance gave birth to Henry VII (who committed suicide) and died in 1222.
His second wife was Jolande of Brienne, the very young heir to the crown of Jerusalem, who died in childbirth at only 16 years of age. The wedding was celebrated as a diplomatic arrangement to ensure the success of Frederick's Crusade in the Holy Land; despite tales of the Emperor's infidelity, Conrad IV and Margaret were born from the union. Having been widowed and following the advice of Pope Gregory IX, Frederick resolved to tie the fate of the kingdom to a powerful European lineage. He took Isabella of England, the beautiful daughter of King John Lackland, as his wife. The solemn wedding, celebrated in Worms Cathedral on July 20, 1235, was followed by magnificent celebrations and the birth of two children, Margaret and Charlotte. Isabella died giving birth to a third daughter. His final union, with Bianca Lancia, was one of true love.
