Fernando II, Duke of Braganza

Ferdinand II ("Fernando", in Portuguese) (1430-1483) was the older son of Fernando I, 2nd Duke of Braganza and of his wife, "Dona" Joana de Castro.

Fernando was most appreciated by King Afonso V of Portugal, and he always escorted the King to his different incursions into Morocco, participating in several conquests and expeditions. The King rewarded him granting him, in 1464) h 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 death, his daughter and heir, Joanna La Beltraneja, married to Afonso V of Portugal, was proclaimed Queen of Castille 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 Iberic aristocracy.

However, when King John II succeded on the throne of Portugal, he decided to fight against the high aristocracy 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 killed himself his cousin, Infante Diogo, Duke of Viseu, which had been accused of treason.

Fernando II of Braganza also accused, was executed in Évora, in 1483. The Braganzas estates were confiscated and the remaining family fled to Castile where Queen Isabella I welcomed them.

=Mariage and Children=Fernando II of Braganza married twice:
*1st, in 1447, with "Dona" Leonor de Menezes (daughter of the 1st Marquis of Vila Real), from whom he had no issue;
*2nd, in 1472, with Infanta Isabella of Viseu (sibling of King Manuel I of Portugal), from whom he had two sons:
**James, 4th Duke of Braganza (1479-1532);
**Dinis of Portugal (1481-1516), who married Beatrice de Castro Osório, 6th Countess of Lemos (in Spain); with issue.

=Nobility Titles=Besides his most import nobility title (3rd Duke of Braganza) 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.

=See Also=
*House of Braganza
*Duke of Braganza
*Duke of Guimarães
*Marquis of Vila Viçosa
*List of Portuguese Dukedoms

=External Links= [http://www.geneall.net/P/per_page.php?id=1922 Genealogy of Fernando II, 3rd Duke of Braganza, in Portuguese]

=Bibliography=”Nobreza de Portugal e do Brasil” – Vol. II, page 440/442. Published by Zairol Lda., Lisbon 1989.

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