Beatrice of Portugal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Beatrice of Portugal |
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Effigy of Queen Beatrice, Monastery of Sancti Spiritus in Toro, Zamora, Spain.
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| Queen consort of Castile and León | |
| Tenure | 17 May 1383 – 9 October 1390 |
| Queen of Portugal (disputed) | |
| Reign | 1383–1385 |
| Predecessor | Ferdinand I |
| Successor | John I |
| Regent | Leonor Teles |
| Born | 7–13 February 1373 Coimbra, Portugal |
| Died | c. 1420 (aged 46–47) Castile |
| Burial | Monastery of Sancti Spiritus, Toro, Castile |
| Spouse | John I of Castile |
| House | Portuguese House of Burgundy |
| Father | Ferdinand I of Portugal |
| Mother | Leonor Teles |
Beatrice (born 1373 – died around 1420) was the only surviving child of King Ferdinand I of Portugal and Queen Leonor Teles. She became the Queen consort of Castile by marrying King John I of Castile.
After her father died without a son, Beatrice claimed the throne of Portugal. However, her uncle, who became King John I of Portugal, successfully took the crown. This led to a major conflict over who should rule Portugal.
During her younger years, Beatrice was often part of her father's political plans. He arranged several marriages for her to form alliances with other kingdoms. Her marriage to King John I of Castile made her Queen of Castile. When her father died, Beatrice was declared Queen of Portugal, and her mother, Leonor Teles, became regent.
However, many people in Portugal did not want to be ruled by Castile. They feared losing their independence. This led to a civil war. John of Aviz, King Ferdinand I's half-brother, led the rebellion. He eventually became King John I of Portugal. His forces defeated Beatrice's husband, John I of Castile, in the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385. This ended Beatrice's chance to rule Portugal.
After this, Queen Beatrice focused on helping Portuguese people who had supported her claim and had to leave Portugal. She played a less important role in the Castilian court after her husband died. The question of who should rule Portugal continued to affect relations between Castile and Portugal for many years. Beatrice's story becomes less clear after 1410, and she likely died around 1420.
Contents
Life of Queen Beatrice
Early Life and Marriage Plans
Beatrice was born in Coimbra, Portugal, in 1373. Her birth happened during a war between Portugal and Castile. Her father, King Ferdinand I, often used Beatrice's future marriages to make peace or alliances.
One early plan was for Beatrice to marry Fadrique, a son of King Henry II of Castile. This was part of a peace treaty. Later, after Henry II died, there were talks for Beatrice to marry his grandson, the future Henry III of Castile. This was another way to try and keep peace between the two kingdoms.
King Ferdinand I also made a secret alliance with England. This meant Beatrice was briefly planned to marry an English prince, Edward of Norwich. But these plans changed again when a son was born to King Ferdinand, though he sadly died after only four days.
Finally, Beatrice's father arranged for her to marry King John I of Castile himself. This was a big decision. It meant that if King Ferdinand died without a son, Beatrice would become Queen of Portugal. Her husband, John I, would be called King of Portugal, but Portugal and Castile would remain separate kingdoms. Beatrice's mother, Leonor Teles, would be regent in Portugal until Beatrice had a son who was old enough to rule. This agreement was signed in 1383.
The wedding took place in Badajoz Cathedral on May 17, 1383. After the wedding, Beatrice moved to Castile to live with her husband.
The Portuguese Crisis (1383–1385)
King Ferdinand I of Portugal died on October 22, 1383. According to the marriage agreement, his widow, Leonor Teles, became the regent of Portugal for her daughter, Queen Beatrice.
However, many Portuguese people did not like Queen Leonor's rule. They also feared that Portugal would lose its independence and become part of Castile. This led to a rebellion, especially in Lisbon. The leader of this uprising was John of Aviz, King Ferdinand I's half-brother.
King John I of Castile, with Beatrice, entered Portugal to claim the throne for his wife. He took control of the government from Leonor Teles. Many Portuguese nobles supported him and Beatrice. However, the people of Lisbon and other cities strongly resisted.
The Master of Aviz (John) was chosen as the "Defender and Regent" of Portugal by the rebels. He claimed the throne for himself, arguing that Beatrice's parents' marriage was not valid. In March 1385, a meeting in Coimbra declared Beatrice illegitimate. On April 6, 1385, John of Aviz was proclaimed King John I of Portugal.
King John I of Castile tried again to take Portugal by force. But his army suffered major defeats at Trancoso and the Battle of Aljubarrota in May and August 1385. These battles ended any hope for Beatrice and her husband to rule Portugal. After these defeats, John I of Castile and Beatrice returned to Castile.
Life in Castile and Later Years
After the defeat at Aljubarrota, many Portuguese nobles and church leaders who had supported Beatrice moved to Castile. Queen Beatrice took special care of these exiles.
The conflict over the Portuguese throne continued to affect relations between Castile and Portugal for many years. Truces were made, but the issue of Beatrice's claim remained.
Beatrice's husband, King John I of Castile, died in 1390. Beatrice, now 18 and a widow, lived a quieter life away from the main court intrigues. She still had a visible presence and kept in touch with many people, including the Portuguese exiles.
During the rule of her stepson, King Henry III of Castile, Beatrice continued to live in Castile. She received income and properties for her support. She was offered a marriage proposal from a Duke of Austria in 1409, but she turned it down. She wanted to keep her Castilian properties, which helped her Portuguese supporters. She also wanted to be free for a political marriage that might help her return to Portugal someday.
Beatrice had a good relationship with her stepson Ferdinand, who later became King of Aragon. She supported his family.
Beatrice's life becomes less clear after 1411. She likely retired to Toro. There is no exact record of her death, but her properties were given to others starting in 1420. This suggests she died around that time. By 1423, new peace talks between Castile and Portugal discussed Beatrice's inheritance, which means she was likely no longer alive.
Was Beatrice a Queen?
There has been a lot of discussion among historians about whether Beatrice should be officially counted as a Queen of Portugal. Some historians from Spain and Portugal believe she was the rightful Queen from October to December 1383. Others say she was Queen from 1383 to 1385.
However, most Portuguese historians argue that Portugal had no monarch during the 1383–1385 period. In Portugal, Beatrice is generally not listed as a reigning queen.
Her husband, King John I of Castile, certainly saw himself as King of Portugal through his marriage to Beatrice. He even called himself King of Portugal in his will. The question of Beatrice's rights to the throne was a major reason for conflict between Castile and Portugal for decades. It was only fully resolved in 1431 with the Treaty of Medina del Campo. This treaty stated that Beatrice's rights ended with her death.
Images for kids
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Coat of arms of Beatrice of Portugal.
See also
In Spanish: Beatriz de Portugal (reina) para niños
