Henry IV of Castile

Henry IV of Castile, nicknamed the Impotent (ruled 1454-1474), was not a strong king. During Henry's reign the nobles increased in power and the nation became less centralised.

Related Topics:
1454 - 1474

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At the age of fifteen he was married to Blanca of Navarre, born 1420. Blanca remained a virgin, not only on her wedding night, but for the rest of her marriage. After thirteen years, Henry sought a divorce. An official examination confirmed the virginity of Blanca, and a priest questioned the prostitutes of Segovia, who confirmed that Henry was sexually capable. A divorce was granted by the Pope on the grounds that some "witchcraft" had prevented Henry from consummating the marriage. Blanca was sent home, where her family imprisoned her, and she was later killed by poison in 1464.

Related Topics:
Blanca - Segovia

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In 1455, Henry married Princess Joana, sister of Edward of Portugal. She, too, remained untouched on her wedding night, and soon took a lover, Beltran de la Cueva. In the course of the attempts to produce an heir, artificial insemination was attempted. After six years of marriage, in 1462, she gave birth to a daughter, Juana, also Joanna, nicknamed "La Beltraneja". Miller maintains that the question of her paternity cannot be answered. The doubt of her legitimacy as an heir, the weakness of the king, the adultery of the queen, and the unruliness of the nobilty all set the stage for a struggle for succession after Henry's death. Joanna was supported by Portugal, while the eventual winner, his half-sister Isabella of Castile had the support of Aragon via her husband Ferdinand and, later in the war, France.

Related Topics:
Princess Joana - Edward of Portugal - Artificial insemination - Joanna - Miller - Portugal - Isabella of Castile - Aragon - Ferdinand - France

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