Estefanía Ramírez

Estefanía Ramírez (died 1183), daughter of Count Ramiro Fróilaz, was the wife of Count Ponce de Minerva. Both founded the Monastery of Santa María de Sandoval in Mansilla Mayor and, as a widow, she founded, firstly, the Royal Monastery of Santa María de Benavides in Boadilla de Rioseco, and later the Monastery of Santa María de Carrizo in Carrizo de la Ribera where she retired with her daughter María who became its first abbess.

Her father, Ramiro Fróilaz, married three or four times. Although the name of Estefanía's mother is not confirmed, she was probably the daughter of Sancha Rodríguez since, following the onomastic traditions at that time, one of her daughters was also named Sancha. Estefanía was named after her paternal grandmother, Countess Estefanía Sánchez, a member of the royal house of Navarre, who was the wife of Count Fruela Díaz, a descendant of Count Flaín Muñoz and a member of the House of Cea.

Her marriage with Count Ponce de Minerva probably took place in 1140 when infanta Sancha Raimúndez, who was responsible for the education of the young Ponce when he arrived in the Kingdom of León, on 30 January of that year gave the couple Argavallones, a villa which was part of the infantado () of León, as a wedding gift. Her father gave her half of Carrizo and her husband the other half that he had received from the Emperor Alfonso VII of León which was to be given to his bride as part of her arras. Four children were born of this marriage: Fernando; Ramiro; María; y Sancha Ponce. Her husband in his will left her all of his dominions.

On 15 February 1167, the countess and her husband, accompanied by their children Ramiro, María and Sancha, founded the Cistercian Monastery of Santa Maria de Sandoval.

...
Wikipedia