1383?1385 Crisis

Prelude

In 1383, king Fernando I of Portugal was dying. From his marriage with Leonor Telles de Menezes, a Castilian lady, only a girl, princess Beatrice of Portugal, survived. Her marriage was the major political issue of the day, since it would determine the future of the kingdom.

Related Topics:
1383 - Fernando I of Portugal - Leonor Telles de Menezes - Castilian - Beatrice of Portugal

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Several political factions lobbied for possible husbands, which included English and French princes. Finally, the king settled for his wife's first choice, King John I of Castile. The marriage was celebrated in May 1383, but was not a widely accepted solution. This dynastic union meant that Portugal would lose independence to Castile, and many were fiercely opposed to this possibility, but they were not united under a common pretender to the crown. The two candidates, both illegitimate half-brothers of Fernando, were:

Related Topics:
English - French - John I of Castile

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• João, son of Peter I of Portugal and Inês de Castro, at the time living in Castile
• João, Great Master of Aviz, another bastard of Peter I, very popular among the Portuguese middle class and traditional aristocracy

On October 22, king Fernando died. According to the marriage contract, dowager queen Leonor assumed regency in the name of her daughter Beatrice and son-in-law, John I of Castile. Since diplomatic opposition was no longer possible, the party for independence took more drastic measures, starting the 1383–1385 crisis.

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