Fernando II, Duke of Braganza
Encyclopedia
Ferdinand II (1430–1483) was the older son of Fernando I, 2nd Duke of Braganza
and of his wife, Doña Joana de Castro.
Fernando was most appreciated by King Afonso V of Portugal
, and he always escorted the King on his different incursions into Morocco
, participating in several conquests and expeditions. The King rewarded him, granting him, in 1464) the new title of Count of Guimarães. This title was soon (1475) upgraded to Duke of Guimarães
.
He also took part in the War of the Castilian Succession
. Following King Henry IV of Castile
's death, his daughter and heir, Joanna La Beltraneja, married to Afonso V of Portugal
, was proclaimed Queen of Castile but she had the opposition of her aunt (the future queen Isabella I). The Portuguese invaded Castile
and, during the Battle of Toro
, Fernando II of Braganza was responsible for the Queen’s safety.
When his father died (1478), Fernando II inherited the Dukedom of Braganza
, and his House became the most rich and powerful among the Iberian
aristocracy.
However, when King John II
succeeded on the throne of Portugal, he decided to fight against the high aristocracy's power, which was supported during his father’s (Afonso V) reign. The new King’s main goals were the House of Viseu
and the House of Braganza
.
The King accused his cousin, Infante Diogo, Duke of Viseu
, of treason, and had him executed. Fernando II of Braganza, also accused, was executed in Évora
in 1483. Afterwards, the Braganzas estates were confiscated, and the remaining family fled to Castile
.
) Fernando II was also:
Fernando I, Duke of Braganza
Ferdinand was the second son of Afonso, 1st Duke of Braganza and of his wife, Beatriz Pereira de Alvim .-Life:...
and of his wife, Doña Joana de Castro.
Fernando was most appreciated by King Afonso V of Portugal
Afonso V of Portugal
Afonso V KG , called the African , was the twelfth King of Portugal and the Algarves. His sobriquet refers to his conquests in Northern Africa.-Early life:...
, and he always escorted the King on his different incursions into Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
, participating in several conquests and expeditions. The King rewarded him, granting him, in 1464) the new title of Count of Guimarães. This title was soon (1475) upgraded to Duke of Guimarães
Duke of Guimarães
The Dukes of Guimarães was an Nobility title granted by King Afonso V of Portugal in 1475, to Ferdinand II, 3rd Duke of Braganza. The king just upgraded the previous title of count of Guimarães), that he granted to the same Duke of Braganza, some years before .When Isabel of Braganza married...
.
He also took part in the War of the Castilian Succession
War of the Castilian Succession
The War of the Castilian Succession was the military conflict contested from 1475 to 1479 for the succession of the Crown of Castile fought between the supporters of Juana la Beltraneja, daughter of the late monarch Henry IV of Castile, and those of Henry's half sister, Isabella, who was ultimately...
. Following King Henry IV of Castile
Henry IV of Castile
Henry IV , King of the Crown of Castile, nicknamed the Impotent , was the last of the weak late medieval kings of Castile...
's death, his daughter and heir, Joanna La Beltraneja, married to Afonso V of Portugal
Afonso V of Portugal
Afonso V KG , called the African , was the twelfth King of Portugal and the Algarves. His sobriquet refers to his conquests in Northern Africa.-Early life:...
, was proclaimed Queen of Castile but she had the opposition of her aunt (the future queen Isabella I). The Portuguese invaded Castile
Kingdom of Castile
Kingdom of Castile was one of the medieval kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula. It emerged as a political autonomous entity in the 9th century. It was called County of Castile and was held in vassalage from the Kingdom of León. Its name comes from the host of castles constructed in the region...
and, during the Battle of Toro
Battle of Toro
The Battle of Toro was a Royal battle from the War of the Castilian Succession, fought on 1 March 1476, near the city of Toro, between the Castilian troops of the Catholic Monarchs and the Portuguese-Castilian forces of Afonso V and Prince John....
, Fernando II of Braganza was responsible for the Queen’s safety.
When his father died (1478), Fernando II inherited the Dukedom of Braganza
Duke of Braganza
The title Duke of Braganza in the House of Braganza is one of the most important titles in the peerage of Portugal. Since the House of Braganza acceded to the throne of Portugal in 1640, the male heir of the Portuguese Crown was known as the Duke of Braganza and Prince of Brazil until 1822, or...
, and his House became the most rich and powerful among the Iberian
Iberian Peninsula
The Iberian Peninsula , sometimes called Iberia, is located in the extreme southwest of Europe and includes the modern-day sovereign states of Spain, Portugal and Andorra, as well as the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar...
aristocracy.
However, when King John II
John II of Portugal
John II , the Perfect Prince , was the thirteenth king of Portugal and the Algarves...
succeeded on the throne of Portugal, he decided to fight against the high aristocracy's power, which was supported during his father’s (Afonso V) reign. The new King’s main goals were the House of Viseu
Duke of Viseu
Duke of Viseu was a Portuguese Royal Dukedom created in 1415 by King John I of Portugal for his third male child, Prince Henry the Navigator, following the conquest of Ceuta....
and the House of Braganza
House of Braganza
The Most Serene House of Braganza , an important Portuguese noble family, ruled the Kingdom of Portugal and its colonial Empire, from 1640 to 1910...
.
The King accused his cousin, Infante Diogo, Duke of Viseu
Diogo, Duke of Viseu
Infante Diogo of Viseu was the second son of Infante Fernando, Duke of Viseu, and his wife Beatriz of Portugal.In 1472, when his older brother John, Duke of Viseu, died without issue, Diogo inherited his titles and estates as 4th Duke of Viseu and 3rd Duke of Beja.Diogo was a popular personality...
, of treason, and had him executed. Fernando II of Braganza, also accused, was executed in Évora
Évora
Évora is a municipality in Portugal. It has total area of with a population of 55,619 inhabitants. It is the seat of the Évora District and capital of the Alentejo region. The municipality is composed of 19 civil parishes, and is located in Évora District....
in 1483. Afterwards, the Braganzas estates were confiscated, and the remaining family fled to Castile
Kingdom of Castile
Kingdom of Castile was one of the medieval kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula. It emerged as a political autonomous entity in the 9th century. It was called County of Castile and was held in vassalage from the Kingdom of León. Its name comes from the host of castles constructed in the region...
.
Marriage and children
Fernando II of Braganza married twice:- 1st, in 1447, to Doña Leonor de Menezes (daughter of the 1st Marquis of Vila RealMarquis of Vila RealMarquis of Vila Real was a Portuguese title of nobility created by a royal decree, dated from March 1, 1489, by King John II of Portugal, and granted to Dom Pedro de Menezes, also known as Peter II of Menezes, 3rd Count of Vila Real.The House of Vila Real was the most powerful aristocratic House...
), with whom he had no issue; - 2nd, in 1472, to Infanta Isabella of ViseuIsabella of ViseuIsabella of Viseu was a daughter of Infante Fernando, Duke of Viseu and his wife and cousin Infanta Beatrice, Duchess of Viseu. She was a member of the House of Aviz and later, House of Braganza.-Family:...
(sibling of King Manuel I of PortugalManuel I of PortugalManuel I , the Fortunate , 14th king of Portugal and the Algarves was the son of Infante Ferdinand, Duke of Viseu, , by his wife, Infanta Beatrice of Portugal...
), with whom he had two sons:- James, 4th Duke of BraganzaJaime, Duke of BraganzaJames was the older son of Ferdinand II, 3rd Duke of Braganza and of his wife, Isabella of Viseu and he became the fourth Duke of Braganza following his father's death.His father and one of his uncles were...
(1479-1532); - Dinis of Portugal (1481-1516)Dinis of Portugal (1481-1516)Denis of Braganza was the younger son of Fernando II, Duke of Braganza and Isabella of Viseu who was a daughter of Infante Fernando, Duke of Viseu and Beatrice of Portugal....
, who married Beatrice de Castro Osório, 6th Countess of Lemos (in SpainSpainSpain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
); with issue.
- James, 4th Duke of Braganza
Nobility Titles
Besides his most important noble title (3rd Duke of BraganzaDuke of Braganza
The title Duke of Braganza in the House of Braganza is one of the most important titles in the peerage of Portugal. Since the House of Braganza acceded to the throne of Portugal in 1640, the male heir of the Portuguese Crown was known as the Duke of Braganza and Prince of Brazil until 1822, or...
) Fernando II was also:
- 1st Duke of Guimarães,
- 2nd Marquis of Vila Viçosa,
- 1st Count of Guimarães,
- 10th Count of Barcelos,
- 6th Count of Ourém,
- 4th Count of Arraiolos and
- 4th Count of Neiva.
Ancestry
See also
- House of BraganzaHouse of BraganzaThe Most Serene House of Braganza , an important Portuguese noble family, ruled the Kingdom of Portugal and its colonial Empire, from 1640 to 1910...
- Duke of BraganzaDuke of BraganzaThe title Duke of Braganza in the House of Braganza is one of the most important titles in the peerage of Portugal. Since the House of Braganza acceded to the throne of Portugal in 1640, the male heir of the Portuguese Crown was known as the Duke of Braganza and Prince of Brazil until 1822, or...
- Duke of GuimarãesDuke of GuimarãesThe Dukes of Guimarães was an Nobility title granted by King Afonso V of Portugal in 1475, to Ferdinand II, 3rd Duke of Braganza. The king just upgraded the previous title of count of Guimarães), that he granted to the same Duke of Braganza, some years before .When Isabel of Braganza married...
- Marquis of Vila ViçosaMarquis of Vila Viçosa.The title Marquis of Vila Viçosa was created by royal decree, dated May 25th, 1455, by King Afonso V of Portugal), to Fernando of Braganza, second son of Afonso, 1st Duke of Braganza....
- List of Portuguese Dukedoms