Isabel of Coimbra facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Isabel of Coimbra |
|
|---|---|
A detail from the Saint Vincent Panels by Nuno Gonçalves
|
|
| Queen consort of Portugal | |
| Tenure | 6 May 1447 – 2 December 1455 |
| Born | 1 March 1432 |
| Died | 2 December 1455 (aged 23) Évora |
| Burial | Batalha Monastery |
| Spouse | Afonso V of Portugal |
| Issue |
|
| House | Aviz |
| Father | Peter, Duke of Coimbra |
| Mother | Isabella of Urgell |
Infanta Isabel of Coimbra (born March 1, 1432 – died December 2, 1455) was a Portuguese princess, also known as Isabella of Portugal. She became the Queen of Portugal by marrying King Afonso V of Portugal. She was his first wife.
Early Life and Family
Isabel was the daughter of Infante Peter, Duke of Coimbra, and Isabella of Aragon, Countess of Urgel. Her grandfathers were King John I of Portugal and James II, Count of Urgel.
Becoming Queen
Isabel's father, Peter of Coimbra, was the regent for her cousin, King Afonso V, while Afonso was still a child. It is said that Isabel and Afonso fell in love. They became engaged in 1445. This engagement caused some disagreement between Isabel's father and Duke Afonso of Braganza. The Duke of Braganza had hoped the king would marry his own grandchild.
As part of her wedding, Isabel received income from several towns. These included Santarém, Alvaiázere, Sintra, and Torres Vedras.
Isabel and Afonso V were married on May 6, 1447. Both the bride and groom were fifteen years old at the time.
Life as Queen
In 1448, King Afonso V chose Afonso of Braganza as his main advisor. This led to a conflict with Isabel's father, Peter of Coimbra. Her father rebelled and was killed in the Battle of Alfarrobeira in 1449. Her brothers, John and James, were sent away from Portugal.
However, Isabel herself remained in good standing with the king. She took charge of the lands of Coimbra until her brother John was able to return to Portugal in 1454.
In 1455, Isabel arranged a special ceremony to honor her father. She made sure he was re-buried in a grand way. Soon after this, she died at the age of twenty-three.
Children
Isabel and Afonso V had three children:
- John, Prince of Portugal (born January 29, 1451)
- Joan, Princess of Portugal (born February 6, 1452 – died May 12, 1490): She is known as Saint Joan of Portugal. She was recognized as a saint in 1693.
- John II of Portugal (born March 3, 1455 – died October 25, 1495): He later became the 13th King of Portugal, succeeding his father.
