Eleanor of Viseu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eleanor of Viseu |
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| Queen consort of Portugal | |
| Tenure | 28 August 1481 – 25 October 1495 |
| Tenure | 11 November 1477 – 15 November 1477 |
| Born | 2 May 1458 Beja, Portugal |
| Died | 17 November 1525 (aged 67) Palace of Xabregas, Lisbon |
| Burial | Convent of the Mother of God |
| Spouse | |
| Issue Detail |
Afonso, Prince of Portugal |
| House | Aviz |
| Father | Ferdinand, Duke of Viseu |
| Mother | Beatrice of Portugal |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
| Signature |  |
Eleanor of Viseu (born May 2, 1458 – died November 17, 1525) was a Portuguese princess, also known as an infanta. She later became the queen of Portugal. Many people consider her one of Portugal's most important queens. She was also one of only two Portuguese queens who were not from another country.
To tell her apart from other princesses named Eleanor, she is often called Eleanor of Viseu. This name comes from her father's title. Sometimes, she is also called Eleanor of Lancaster. This name was used by some Portuguese royals because of her great-grandmother, Queen Philippa of Lancaster. In Portugal, everyone knows her as Rainha Dona Leonor.
Eleanor's Family
Eleanor was the daughter of Infante Fernando, Duke of Viseu. Her mother was Beatrice of Portugal, who was also her father's cousin.
Eleanor had a sister named Isabel of Viseu. Isabel married Fernando II, Duke of Braganza. Sadly, Fernando was later accused of treason and executed by Eleanor's husband, King John II of Portugal.
Eleanor's older brother, Diogo, Duke of Viseu, was also involved in activities that King John II saw as treason. The king himself executed Diogo. Eleanor's younger brother, Manuel, later became king after John II.
Her Marriage
Eleanor married John, Prince of Portugal, on January 22, 1470. She was eleven years old, and John was fourteen. By marrying him, she became the Princess of Portugal. John was the only living son of King Afonso V of Portugal. He was also the heir apparent, meaning he was next in line to the Portuguese throne. Eleanor and John grew up together and were good friends.
Becoming Queen
On August 28, 1481, Eleanor's father-in-law passed away. Her husband became King John II of Portugal. This made Eleanor the new queen of Portugal.
Queens of Portugal were given lands and villages to provide them with their own income. Eleanor received areas like Silves e Faro for this purpose.
She founded a city that is now called Caldas da Rainha. This name means "Queen's Hot Springs" in Portuguese, and it was named in her honor.
Eleanor and John II had two sons, but both passed away. Eleanor wanted her brother Manuel to become the next king. She asked the Pope for help, and the Pope agreed with her. This led to her brother Manuel being recognized as the heir to the throne.
John II passed away on October 25, 1495.
Queen Dowager
After her brother Manuel I became king in 1495, Eleanor moved to the palace of Xabregas. She continued to be active in royal life there. For a short time between 1500 and 1502, her brother Manuel had no children. This meant Eleanor herself became the next in line to the throne. Since she also had no children, she chose not to become the heir. Instead, she supported her sister Isabel to be the next in line.
Eleanor was very wealthy and used a lot of her money to help others. In 1498, she started the Santa Casa da Misericórdia. These were groups created to help people in need. They especially cared for the poor, the sick, and children who had been abandoned. These groups still exist today in Portugal and in former Portuguese colonies.
Eleanor is also known for bringing the printing press to Portugal. She asked for a book called Vita Christi to be translated into Portuguese. When the first part of this book was printed in 1502, it was the first book ever printed in Alcalá de Henares.
Eleanor also helped create the Hospital Real de Todos-os-Santos (All Saints' Royal Hospital) in Lisbon. This hospital was considered one of the best in Europe at that time. She also founded the Madre de Deus convent in 1509. This convent is known for its beautiful architecture. Eleanor spent many of her later years there, living almost like a nun.
Her Children
| Name | Born | Died | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prince Afonso | May 18, 1475 | July 13, 1491 | He was the Prince of Portugal. He died in a horse riding accident. His death led to his uncle Manuel I becoming king. |
| Stillborn son | 1483 | 1483 | A son who was stillborn in 1483. |
See also
In Spanish: Leonor de Viseo para niños
