The Infante Ferdinand, Prince of Portugal, Duke of Beja and Duke of Viseu (1433–1470; Portuguese pronunciation: [fɨɾˈnɐ̃du]; English: Ferdinand) was the third son of the Portuguese King Edward of Portugal and his wife Eleanor of Aragon.
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Biography
Ferdinand was born in Almeirim on November 17th, 1433, and died in Setúbal on September 18th, 1470.
He was twice sworn Prince of Portugal (title granted to the presumptive heir to the throne): first between 1438 and 1451, once his older brother became king Afonso V of Portugal and had no children; and for the second time, in 1451, when Prince João was born, but died months later.
When Afonso V's first daughter, Princess Joan, was born (1452), infante Ferdinand finally lost this title.
In 1452, Ferdinand fled the country looking for adventure. Some say he wanted to go to the north African cities controlled by the Portuguese; others say that he wanted to join his uncle, the King Alfonso I of Naples, in his campaigns in southern Italy. It seams Ferdinand had the hope to inherit his uncle’s kingdom, once he had no legitimate children.
However, his brother, King Afonso V of Portugal, as soon as he knew about Ferdinand’s escape, ordered to the Count of Odemira, which was patrolling the strait of Gibraltar with a fleet, to intercept the infante ship and bring him back to mainland Portugal.
In 1453, his brother, King Afonso V of Portugal granted him the title of 1st Duke of Beja.
When his uncle, Prince Henry the Navigator died, in 1460, he also become 2nd Duke of Viseu once he had been adopted by Henry in 1436. He also succeeded his uncle as Master of the Order of Aviz and responsible for the Discoveries (1460-1470).
He was finally allowed to fight in north Africa: first in 1458 he escorted the king to the conquest of the Moroccan city of Alcácer Ceguer; and for a second time, in 1468, he leaded a Portuguese fleet that conquered and destroyed the port of Anfa (Anafé in Portuguese), today included in Casablanca, which was a barbary corsairs base.
He was buried in the Religiosas da Conceição monastery, in Beja, founded by his wife.
Marriage and Children
He married his cousin Beatrice of Portugal (Portuguese: Beatriz) in 1447, daughter of Infante João, Lord of Reguengos (his uncle). From this marriage, Ferdinand had nine children:
- Infante John (1448-1472), 3rd Duke of Viseu, 2nd Duke of Beja, 7th Constable of Portugal.
- Infante Diogo (1450-1484), 4th Duke of Viseu, 3rd Duke of Beja;
- Infante (Prince) Duarte of Viseu, died in childhood;
- Infante (Prince) Dinis of Viseu, died in childhood;
- Infante (Prince) Simão of Viseu, died in childhood;
- Infanta (Princess) Eleanor of Viseu (1458-1525), married to King John II of Portugal, becoming Queen of Portugal;
- Infanta (Princess) Isabella of Viseu (1459-1521), married to Ferdinand II, Duke of Braganza;
- Infante Manuel, 5th Duke of Viseu, 4th Duke of Beja. Became King of Portugal, as Manuel I, following his cousin's (John II) death;
- Infanta (Princess) Catarina of Viseu, died in childhood.
See also
External links
Bibliography
”Nobreza de Portugal e do Brasil” – Vol. I, pages 311 and 312. Published by Zairol Lda., Lisbon 1989.
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Infante Ferdinand, Duke of Viseu
Cadet branch of the House of Burgundy
Born: 17 November 1433 Died: ? 1470 |
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| Preceded by Afonso (become Afonso V) |
Prince of Portugal 1438–1451 |
Succeeded by John |
| Preceded by John |
Prince of Portugal 1451–1452 |
Succeeded by Joan |
| Portuguese nobility | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by New Title |
 Duke of Beja 1453—1470 |
Succeeded by John of Viseu, 2nd Duke of Beja |
| Preceded by Henry, the Navigator |
Duke of Viseu 1460—1470 |
Succeeded by John, 3rd Duke of Viseu |
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