Peter II of Aragon

Peter II of Aragon, also known as Peter the Great, was a king who ruled from 1196 to 1213. His reign is noted for strengthening the Aragonese crown and expanding its territories, including the acquisition of the kingdom of Valencia. He was a key figure in the Catholic Church's struggles of the time, notably opposing the Albigensian Crusade against the Cathar heretics in southern France. Peter II's defense of his rights led to his involvement in the Battle of Muret in 1213, where he was killed, marking a significant transition in the power dynamics of medieval Spain and the Church’s influence.