Joanna, Princess of Portugal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Joanna of Portugal |
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| Hereditary Princess of Portugal | |
Portrait of Princess Saint Joana; 1471
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| Born | 6 February 1452 Lisbon, Portugal |
| Died | 12 May 1490 (aged 38) Aveiro, Portugal |
| Burial | Convent of Jesus in Aveiro |
| House | Aviz |
| Father | Afonso V of Portugal |
| Mother | Isabel of Coimbra |
| Religion | Catholicism |
| Blessed Joana de Portugal OP |
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| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 16 February 1692, Saint Peter's Basilica, Papal States by Pope Innocent XII |
| Feast | 12 May |
Joanna of Portugal (born February 6, 1452 – died May 12, 1490) was a Portuguese princess. She was the daughter of King Afonso V of Portugal and his first wife, Isabel of Coimbra. Joanna was also known as Princess Saint Joan in Portugal. She served as a temporary ruler (regent) for her father in 1471. She is honored in the Catholic Church.
A Royal Childhood
Joanna was the second child born to King Afonso V. Her older brother, John, sadly passed away in 1451. This made Joanna the next in line to the throne. She was given the special title of Princess of Portugal. Other royal children were called "infantes."
When her younger brother, who would become John II of Portugal, was born in 1455, Joanna was no longer the direct heir. However, people still called her Princess Joanna.
From a young age, Joanna wanted to become a nun. But because she was still close to the throne, her father did not allow it at first.
In 1471, her father went on a military trip to Tangier. During this time, Joanna bravely stepped in to rule the Portuguese Kingdom as regent.
Marriage Offers
Joanna really did not want to get married. She turned down many offers. In 1475, she finally joined the Dominican Convent of Jesus in Aveiro. By then, her brother had a son, so the royal family line was safe. She entered the convent the same year her nephew was born.
Even after joining the convent, she was sometimes asked to leave and return to the royal court. She even turned down a marriage offer from Charles VIII of France, who was 18 years younger than her. Her father gave up his throne in 1477 and died in 1481. Her brother then became king.
In 1485, she received another marriage offer. This time it was from Richard III of England, who had recently lost his wife. He was only 8 months younger than Joanna. This marriage was planned as part of a bigger alliance. Richard's niece, Elizabeth of York, was to marry Joanna's cousin, who would later become King Manuel I. However, Richard III died in battle, and these plans stopped.
Later Years
Joanna remained a strong supporter of her brother, John II of Portugal, throughout his time as king.
She passed away on May 12, 1490, in Aveiro. She was buried in the Convent of Jesus in Aveiro. She left all her money and belongings to the convent. In 1693, she was declared "blessed" (beatified) by Pope Innocent XII. Even though she has not been made a saint, people in Portugal still call her Princess Saint Joanna.
Images for kids
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Princess Saint Joanna with the Infant Jesus; by Joao Baptista Pachim, 18th century.
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An old picture of the princess holding a skull, a cross, and a crown of thorns.
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Manuel Ferreira e Sousa's painting of Princess Saint Joanna of Portugal.
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Manuel Ferreira e Sousa's painting of Princess Saint Joanna of Portugal.
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Manuel Ferreira e Sousa's painting of Princess Saint Joanna of Portugal.
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Manuel Ferreira e Sousa's painting of Princess Saint Joanna of Portugal.
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Manuel Ferreira e Sousa's painting of Princess Saint Joanna of Portugal.
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Manuel Ferreira e Sousa's painting of Princess Saint Joanna of Portugal.
