Infante Fernando, Duke of Viseu

The Infante Fernando, Prince of Portugal, Duke of Viseu (1433–1470, English: "Ferdinand", pronounced|fɨɾˈnɐ̃du) was the third son of Portuguese King Edward of Portugal and his wife Leonor of Aragon.

Ferdinand was born in Almeirim on November 17th, 1433. In 1453, his brother, King Afonso V of Portugal granted him the title of 1st Duke of Beja.

He was adopted by his uncle, Henry the Navigator and, therefore, he inherited the title of Duke of Viseu when his uncle died in 1460, becoming then the 2nd Duke of Viseu. He also succeeded his uncle as Master of the Order of Aviz and responsible for the Discoveries (1460-1470).

He was twice Prince of Portugal (title attributed to the presumptive heir to the throne) first between 1438 and 1451, because his brother Afonso V of Portugal had no children. In 1451 Prince João was born, but died months later. Fernando was then given the title of Prince of Portugal for a second time until the next year, when Alphonse's first daughter Princess Joana was born.

He married his cousin Beatrice of Portugal (Portuguese: "Beatriz") in 1447, daughter of Infante João, Lord of Reguengos (his uncle).

From that marriage Ferdinand had nine children:
* Infante John, Duke of Viseu (1448-1472), 3rd Duke of Viseu, 2nd Duke of Beja, 7th Constable of Portugal.
* Infante Diogo, Duke of Viseu (1450-1484), 4th Duke of Viseu, 3rd Duke of Beja;
* Infante Duarte of Viseu, died in childhood;
* Infante Dinis of Viseu, died in childhood;
* Infante Simão of Viseu, died in childhood;
* Infanta Leonor of Viseu (1458-1525), married to King John II of Portugal, becaming Queen of Portugal;
* Infanta Isabella of Viseu (1459-1521), married to Ferdinand II, Duke of Braganza;
* Infante Manuel, Duke of Viseu, 5th Duke of Viseu, 4th Duke of Beja. Became King of Portugal, as Manuel I, following his cousin's (John II) death;
* Infanta Catarina of Viseu, died in childhood.

ee Also

*Duke of Beja
*Duke of Viseu
*List of Portuguese Dukedoms

External Links

[http://www.geneall.net/P/per_page.php?id=1938 Genealogy of Infante Fernando, 1st Duke of Viseu, in Portuguese]

Bibliography

”Nobreza de Portugal e do Brasil” – Vol. I, pages 311 and 312. Published by Zairol Lda., Lisbon 1989.

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