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Beatrice CastileQueen of Portugal.
Date of Birth: 01.01.1242
Country:  Portugal |
Content:
Beatrice, Queen of Portugal
Beatrice was an illegitimate daughter of King Alfonso X of Castile and his mistress, Mayor Guillén de Guzmán. When she was a young girl, her cousin, King Afonso III of Portugal, agreed to marry her in exchange for Castile giving Algarve to Portugal when their first child reached the age of seven. Afonso divorced his first wife, Matilda de Dammartin, and married Beatrice in 1253.
Queen of Portugal
As queen, Beatrice received the income from the cities of Torres Novas and Alenquer. When Beatrice's eldest child reached the agreed age, Alfonso refused to give up Algarve because the child was a girl. However, he eventually appointed Beatrice's grandson, Denis, as heir to Algarve on the condition that Afonso would support the Castilian king in war and provide him with 50 knights. In 1263, after Matilda's death, Beatrice and Afonso's marriage was recognized by Pope Urban IV.
Diplomatic Success
In 1267, the Treaty of Badajoz established the border between Portugal and Castile as the Guadiana River, achieving the goal of Beatrice's marriage. After Afonso's death, Beatrice remained at the Portuguese court as queen mother and was later buried in the Alcobaça Monastery.
Children
Beatrice had eight children with Afonso III:Branca (1259-1321): Abbess
Fernando (1260-1262): Died in infancy
Denis I (1261-1325): King of Portugal
Afonso (1263-1312): Lord of Portalegre
Sancha (1264-1279)
Maria (1264-1284)
Constance (1266-1271): Died in infancy
Vicente (1268-1271): Died in infancy
