Chapter 4: Iberian Developments
March 1452: Afonso V of Portugal and his wife, Isabel of Combria are still celebrating the birth of their daughter, Infanta Juana, though they still mourn the loss of their son, Juan. Nevertheless, they are hopeful that they shall soon sire another son.
May 1452: Prince Henry the Navigator begins voyages across the south of Africa, reaching as far as Guinea. Plans are made to establish colonies across the newly discovered lands.
November 1452: Queen Isabel announces her third pregnancy, much to the joy of her husband and the court.
December 1452: Afonso V hits his head against the lintel of a door. He briefly falls unconscious, much to the concern of the court. While unconscious, Afonso claims to have had a vision. The city of Constantinople standing in front of him, surrounded by Islamic heretics, who seize the city and burn Bibles, Crosses and murdering Nuns, Monks and Priests. Then, there is one of Lisbon, Ottoman ships blockading it as cannons fire on its churches. Lastly, he sees a flaming cross in the sky and allegedly, the voice of Christ calling him to defend the city.
Afonso immediately writes to a Emperor Constantine XI offering him his sister Catalina’s hand in marriage. Catalina shall come with a dowry of 300,000 reals to support Byzantium and 350 knights as well as 20 ships (though their many purpose is to protect Catalina). Negotiations for the marriage begin. He sends donations to Constantinople in the mean time.
February 1453: Blanche of Navarre, wife of Henry, Prince of Asturias dies of a flu. The marriage had been childless and unhappy. Now free to marry again, Henry plans to marry Alfonso V of Portugal’s sister, Juana. Afonso V agrees and a dispensation from the Pope is requested.
April 1453: A dispensation for the marriage between Juana and Henry is granted. The marriage is set to occur in July.
July 1453: Queen Isabel and Afonso V have their third child together, a girl named Leonor. Celebrations are held in her honour, though her parents are disappointed she was not the son they’d hoped for. Juana of Portugal marries Henry of Castile, though quickly tires of him.
November 1453: King John II of Castile fathers a second son, who is named Alfonso. The boy is sent to live with his sister, Isabel.
January 1454: Charles, Prince of Viana dies in a horse-riding accident. Foul play is suspected and rumours arise that he was murdered by his own father, Juan of Navarre.
March 1454: A Portuguese colony is established in Senegal. It is called San Juan and starts with a population of 23.
April 1454: Isabel of Coimbra announces her fourth pregnancy. Afonso V prays for a son. Meanwhile, he begins planning a campaign in Morroco to seize Tangiers and other territories. He begins amassing an army and plans to depart on campaign after the birth of his child, confident that it shall be a son. Meanwhile, Pedro, Duke of Coimbra marries his cousin, Beatriz of Braganza. A dispensation for the marriage is acquired.
July 1454: Isabel of Coimbra suffers a miscarriage. She and her husband are devastated and console each other, grieving the loss of their child. Afonso calls off his Moroccan campaign to the next year to comfort his grieving and weakened wife.
That same month, John II of Castile passes away and is succeeded by Henry now Henry IV. The King has been married to Infanta Juana for a year now, yet there is no sign of a son. However, the young Infante Alfonso, reassures the nobles that the succession is secure and stable.
September 1454: Alfonso V searches for suitors for his daughters, Juana and Leonor. Both are close and are good friends. He writes to King John II of Navarre suggesting that his son Ferdinand be married to Juana and suggests to Henry IV that Isabel could marry a son of his. Both are interested yet nothing major occurs.
December 1454: The Portuguese court takes solace in the news that Queen Isabel has fallen pregnant again. Afonso V is cautiousl optimistic that the child shall be health and prays not for a son, but for a healthy child.
May 1452: Prince Henry the Navigator begins voyages across the south of Africa, reaching as far as Guinea. Plans are made to establish colonies across the newly discovered lands.
November 1452: Queen Isabel announces her third pregnancy, much to the joy of her husband and the court.
December 1452: Afonso V hits his head against the lintel of a door. He briefly falls unconscious, much to the concern of the court. While unconscious, Afonso claims to have had a vision. The city of Constantinople standing in front of him, surrounded by Islamic heretics, who seize the city and burn Bibles, Crosses and murdering Nuns, Monks and Priests. Then, there is one of Lisbon, Ottoman ships blockading it as cannons fire on its churches. Lastly, he sees a flaming cross in the sky and allegedly, the voice of Christ calling him to defend the city.
Afonso immediately writes to a Emperor Constantine XI offering him his sister Catalina’s hand in marriage. Catalina shall come with a dowry of 300,000 reals to support Byzantium and 350 knights as well as 20 ships (though their many purpose is to protect Catalina). Negotiations for the marriage begin. He sends donations to Constantinople in the mean time.
February 1453: Blanche of Navarre, wife of Henry, Prince of Asturias dies of a flu. The marriage had been childless and unhappy. Now free to marry again, Henry plans to marry Alfonso V of Portugal’s sister, Juana. Afonso V agrees and a dispensation from the Pope is requested.
April 1453: A dispensation for the marriage between Juana and Henry is granted. The marriage is set to occur in July.
July 1453: Queen Isabel and Afonso V have their third child together, a girl named Leonor. Celebrations are held in her honour, though her parents are disappointed she was not the son they’d hoped for. Juana of Portugal marries Henry of Castile, though quickly tires of him.
November 1453: King John II of Castile fathers a second son, who is named Alfonso. The boy is sent to live with his sister, Isabel.
January 1454: Charles, Prince of Viana dies in a horse-riding accident. Foul play is suspected and rumours arise that he was murdered by his own father, Juan of Navarre.
March 1454: A Portuguese colony is established in Senegal. It is called San Juan and starts with a population of 23.
April 1454: Isabel of Coimbra announces her fourth pregnancy. Afonso V prays for a son. Meanwhile, he begins planning a campaign in Morroco to seize Tangiers and other territories. He begins amassing an army and plans to depart on campaign after the birth of his child, confident that it shall be a son. Meanwhile, Pedro, Duke of Coimbra marries his cousin, Beatriz of Braganza. A dispensation for the marriage is acquired.
July 1454: Isabel of Coimbra suffers a miscarriage. She and her husband are devastated and console each other, grieving the loss of their child. Afonso calls off his Moroccan campaign to the next year to comfort his grieving and weakened wife.
That same month, John II of Castile passes away and is succeeded by Henry now Henry IV. The King has been married to Infanta Juana for a year now, yet there is no sign of a son. However, the young Infante Alfonso, reassures the nobles that the succession is secure and stable.
September 1454: Alfonso V searches for suitors for his daughters, Juana and Leonor. Both are close and are good friends. He writes to King John II of Navarre suggesting that his son Ferdinand be married to Juana and suggests to Henry IV that Isabel could marry a son of his. Both are interested yet nothing major occurs.
December 1454: The Portuguese court takes solace in the news that Queen Isabel has fallen pregnant again. Afonso V is cautiousl optimistic that the child shall be health and prays not for a son, but for a healthy child.
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