 |
Huana BeltranehaCastilian princess and from 1475 to 1481 queen of Portugal.
Country:
 Portugal |
Content:
Biography of Juana Beltraneja
Early LifeJuana Beltraneja, also known as Juana la Beltraneja or Joana a Beltraneja, was born in 1462 in Lisbon. She was the daughter of King Enrique IV of Castile and his second wife, Juana of Portugal, who was the daughter of King Edward I of Portugal. Juana received her derogatory nickname "Beltraneja" due to rumors about her illegitimate birth from a Castilian nobleman named Beltrán de la Cueva, a favorite of Queen Juana.
Controversial Inheritance
King Enrique IV, also known as El Impotente, did not have any other children. He would alternately disinherit Juana and restore her rights, taking all measures to ensure that she would inherit the Castilian throne. In 1475, Juana married her maternal uncle, King Afonso V of Portugal, and became the Queen of Portugal. However, the marriage was childless.
War and Annulment
Afonso V attempted to reclaim the Castilian throne for his wife, waging war against Juana's aunt, Queen Isabella, who had ascended to the throne of Castile. However, he was defeated in the Battle of Toro by Isabella's husband, King Ferdinand of Aragon. The unsuccessful war lasted for four years. In 1479, King Afonso V made peace with the Catholic Monarchs (Isabella and Ferdinand). Their marriage was annulled by Pope Sixtus IV due to close blood ties.
Final Years
Until her death in 1530, Juana Beltraneja considered herself deceived by her aunt and signed her correspondence as "La Reina" (The Queen). It is important to distinguish Juana Beltraneja from Queen Juana of Castile, also known as Juana the Mad, who was the wife of Philip the Handsome.
