Fernando II, 3rd Duke of Braganza

Fernando II, 3rd Duke of Braganza
Spouse(s)	Leonor de Menezes Isabella of Viseu
Noble family	House of Braganza
Father	Fernando I, Duke of Braganza
Mother	Joana de Castro
Born	1430
Died	20 June 1483(1483-06-20) Évora

Ferdinand II (Fernando, in Portuguese) (1430–1483) was the older son of Dom 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 on his different incursions into Morocco, participating in several conquests and expeditions. The King rewarded him, granting him, in 1464) 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's death, his daughter and heir, Joanna La Beltraneja, married to Afonso V of Portugal, was proclaimed Queen of Castile 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 Iberian aristocracy.

However, when King John II succeeded on the throne of Portugal, he decided to fight against the high aristocracy's 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 accused his cousin, Infante Diogo, Duke of Viseu, of treason, and had him executed. Fernando II of Braganza, also accused, was executed in Évora in 1483. Afterwards, the Braganzas estates were confiscated, and the remaining family fled to Castile.

Marriage and children

Fernando II of Braganza married twice:

• 1st, in 1447, to Dona Leonor de Menezes (daughter of the 1st Marquis of Vila Real), with whom he had no issue;
• 2nd, in 1472, to Infanta Isabella of Viseu (sibling of King Manuel I of Portugal), with 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 important noble 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

• 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.

Fernando II, 3rd Duke of Braganza House of Braganza Cadet branch of the House of Aviz and House of Burgundy Born: 1430 Died: 1483
Portuguese nobility
Preceded by New Title	Duke of Guimarães 1475–1483	Succeeded by James of Braganza, 2nd Duke of Guimarães
Preceded by Fernando I, 2nd Duke of Braganza	Duke of Braganza 1478–1483	Succeeded by James, 4th Duke of Braganza
Preceded by Fernando I of Braganza, 1st Marquis of Vila Viçosa	Marquis of Vila Viçosa 1478–1483	Succeeded by James of Braganza, 3rd Marquis of Vila Viçosa