Constanza Manuel facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Constance Manuel of Villena
Effigy of Constance Manuel in a 1645 Genealogy of the Kings of Portugal (National Library of Portugal)
Queen consort of Castile and León
Tenure	1325–1327
Born	c. 1316 Castillo de Garcimuñoz
Died	27 January 1349 Santarém, Portugal
Burial	Santarém, Portugal
Spouse	Alfonso XI of Castile Peter I of Portugal
Issue Among others	Infanta Maria, Marchioness of Tortosa Ferdinand I of Portugal
House	Castilian House of Ivrea
Father	Juan Manuel, Prince of Villena
Mother	Constance of Aragon
Religion	Roman Catholicism

Constanza Manuel (born around 1316, died January 27, 1349) was a powerful noblewoman from Castile. She became a queen in Castile and later a princess (Infanta) in Portugal through her two marriages. Her life was full of political drama and important events in the history of both kingdoms.

Early Life and First Marriage: Queen of Castile

Constanza was born in Castillo de Garcimuñoz. Her father was Don Juan Manuel, a very strong and important nobleman in Castile. Her mother was Infanta Constanza of Aragon, daughter of King James II of Aragon.

We don't know Constanza's exact birth date. It was likely around 1316. This was when her father was planning her first marriage. After King Ferdinand IV of Castile died in 1312, Don Juan Manuel helped guide his young son, King Alfonso XI.

When King Alfonso XI became old enough to rule in 1325, he didn't want his old guides anymore. Don Juan Manuel wanted to keep his power. So, he made a plan with Juan de Haro, a powerful lord. Don Juan Manuel wanted his daughter Constanza, who was about nine years old, to marry Juan de Haro.

However, King Alfonso XI was worried about two powerful families joining forces. He asked to marry Constanza himself. He also ordered Juan de Haro to be killed in 1326.

Constanza and King Alfonso XI officially got engaged in 1325. But because Constanza was still very young, the marriage was never fully completed. Even so, Constanza used the title of Queen of Castile.

Two years later, in 1327, King Alfonso XI ended his marriage to Constanza. He wanted to marry Maria of Portugal instead. This was to make his ties with the kingdom of Portugal stronger.

Second Marriage: Infanta of Portugal

King Afonso IV soon found out that his daughter Maria was being treated badly by her husband, King Alfonso XI of Castile. Don Juan Manuel saw a chance to get back at the Castilian king. He made an alliance with King Afonso IV of Portugal. This alliance was sealed by Constanza marrying Infante Pedro, who was next in line to the Portuguese throne.

The wedding agreement was signed in 1335. It said that Constanza would keep her lands and money. Her father could visit her whenever he wanted. The first son born to Constanza and Pedro would become the next king of Portugal. The second son would inherit Don Juan Manuel's family lands. If there was no second son, Infante Pedro would inherit them. The agreement also said that Don Juan Manuel's lands would never become part of the Castilian Crown.

King Alfonso XI of Castile did not like this agreement. He tried to stop Constanza from going to Portugal. He even held her captive at the Alcázar of Toro. He wanted to pressure Don Juan Manuel to stop the marriage. Don Juan Manuel demanded his daughter back, but King Alfonso XI refused.

However, the marriage still happened by proxy. This means someone stood in for Constanza at the ceremony. It took place in Portugal on February 28, 1336. Infante Pedro and his parents were there. Even though Constanza and Pedro were distant cousins, they quickly got permission from the Pope.

The Portuguese King felt insulted that King Alfonso XI still held Constanza. He was also upset about how King Alfonso XI treated his daughter, Maria. King Alfonso XI, in turn, blamed his father-in-law for not helping him fight against the Moors. This led to a war between the two kingdoms that lasted three years.

Other Christian kingdoms and Pope Benedict XII helped end the conflict. Peace was made in Seville in 1339. Don Juan Manuel gave a large dowry for the marriage. A year later, in 1340, King Afonso IV helped the Castilian king in the Battle of Salado.

Finally, Constanza was able to travel to Portugal. With her was her relative, Inês de Castro. Infante Pedro quickly fell deeply in love with Inês. King Afonso IV kept his promise to Don Juan Manuel. He gave Constanza the towns of Montemor-o-Novo, Alenquer, and the city of Viseu. This was a traditional gift for queens of Portugal. The official wedding was celebrated in Lisbon Cathedral on August 24, 1340.

The close relationship between Infante Pedro and Inês de Castro caused problems for the Royal Council. Inês had two powerful brothers, and their influence in Portugal grew through her. To try and separate the lovers, Constanza invited Inês to be the godmother of her first son, Infante Luiz. This was meant to create a spiritual bond that would make their relationship wrong. But this plan did not work. Infante Pedro and Inês continued their relationship secretly.

Death and Burial

Constanza likely died on January 27, 1349. Some historians believe she died after giving birth to another daughter, also named Maria. She probably passed away due to complications after childbirth. This means that Infante Pedro and Inês de Castro's relationship started before Constanza's death.

Constanza was first buried in the Church of Santo Domingo in Santarém. Later, her son, King Fernando I, had her tomb moved to the Monastery of San Francisco in the same city.

Children

Constanza and Infante Pedro of Portugal had the following children:

• Maria (born 1342, died 1377). She married Infante Fernando of Aragón.
• Luiz (born 1344), who lived for only eight days.
• Fernando I (born 1345, died 1383). He later became King of Portugal.
• A daughter, possibly named Maria (born 1349), who died shortly after birth.

See also

In Spanish: Constanza Manuel de Villena para niños