John, Duke of Valencia de Campos
Years: 1349 - 1397
John of Portugal (Portuguese: João) (1349–1397) is the son of the Portuguese King Peter I and a Galician noblewoman named Inês de Castro who had arrived in Portugal as a maid of Infanta Constance of Castile, recently married to Peter I (royal heir at the time).
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The 1383–1385 Crisis: Portugal’s Fight for Independence
The Third Fernandine War (1381–1382) marked Ferdinand I of Portugal’s last attempt—again with John of Gaunt’s support—to challenge Castilian authority. However, his campaign against King John I of Castile ended in another failure, and his dynastic strategy created deep divisions within Portugal.
The Marriage of Beatrice and the Threat to Portuguese Independence (1383)
- In May 1383, Beatrice of Portugal, Ferdinand’s only daughter and heir, was married to John I of Castile.
- This marriage effectively united Portugal and Castile under the Trastámara dynasty, leading to fears that Portugal would lose its independence.
- Many Portuguese nobles opposed this union, but they were divided between two rival pretenders:
- John of Portugal, son of Peter I and Inês de Castro, who lived in Castile.
- João, Grand Master of the Order of Aviz, an illegitimate son of Peter I by Teresa Lourenço, who was popular among the Portuguese nobility and middle class.
The Death of Ferdinand and the Regency of Leonor Teles (October 22, 1383)
- Ferdinand I died at the age of 38 on October 22, 1383, leaving no male heir.
- As per the marriage treaty, his widow, Leonor Teles de Meneses, assumed regency for Beatrice, ruling alongside her lover, João Fernandes de Andeiro, a Castilian count.
- This arrangement angered both the nobility and the lower classes, who saw it as a betrayal of Portugal’s sovereignty.
The 1383–1385 Crisis Begins: João of Aviz Takes Action
- In December 1383, João of Aviz led a group of conspirators and assassinated João Fernandes de Andeiro, marking the first act of open rebellion.
- With Nuno Álvares Pereira, a brilliant general, as his military commander, João took control of Lisbon, ...
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John I of Castile’s Intervention and the War for the Throne (1384–1385)
- In response, King John I of Castile invaded Portugal and occupied Santarém.
- Seeking to secure his wife’s crown, he forced Queen Leonor to abdicate and assumed direct control over Portugal.
With diplomatic efforts failing, the Portuguese resistance movement led by João of Aviz and Nuno Álvares Pereira turned to war, initiating the 1383–1385 Crisis, a struggle that would ultimately determine Portugal’s survival as an independent kingdom.
The 1383–1385 Crisis: Portugal's Struggle for Independence
By the late 14th century, Europe was in a state of crisis, plagued by the Hundred Years' War, the Black Death, and widespread famine. In Portugal, the situation was no different—following the death of King Ferdinand I in October 1383, the kingdom faced a dynastic and national crisis that threatened its independence from Castile.
The Treaty of Salvaterra de Magos and Portuguese Discontent (1383)
- In April 1383, King Ferdinand I had signed the Treaty of Salvaterra de Magos with John I of Castile, ensuring that:
- Princess Beatrice, Ferdinand’s only child, would marry John I of Castile.
- The Portuguese Crown would pass to their descendants, effectively setting the stage for a dynastic union with Castile.
- The treaty excluded the Portuguese nobility and merchants from negotiations, enraging the population and fueling fears that Portugal would be absorbed into Castile.
- With no undisputed heir, Portugal entered an interregnum (1383–1385), with no recognized monarch.
The Assassination of Count Andeiro and the Rise of João of Aviz (December 1383)
- The first open act of rebellion occurred in December 1383, when João, Grand Master of the Order of Aviz(illegitimate son of Peter I of Portugal), led the assassination of Count João Fernandes Andeiro, a pro-Castilian noble.
- The merchants of Lisbon, outraged by Castilian influence, named João of Aviz "Rector and Defender of the Realm", making him the leader of the anti-Castilian resistance.
John I of Castile’s Invasion and the Portuguese Response (1384)
- John I of Castile refused to abandon his claim to the Portuguese throne and moved to secure power by forcing Queen Leonor Teles to abdicate.
- In April 1384, he launched a punitive expedition into Alentejo.
- His Castilian forces were met at the Battle of Atoleiros (April 1384) by a smaller Portuguese army led by Nuno Álvares Pereira, a brilliant general and loyal supporter of João of Aviz.
- Using English defensive tactics, Pereira’s well-positioned infantry repelled Castilian cavalry charges, reportedly without a single Portuguese casualty.
The Beginning of the Fight for Independence
- Though a tactical success, the Battle of Atoleiros did not end Castilian ambitions.
- John I of Castile prepared for a larger invasion, culminating in the siege of Lisbon (1384) and later, the Battle of Aljubarrota (1385), which would determine Portugal’s fate as an independent nation.
The 1383–1385 Crisis was more than just a succession dispute—it became a national struggle for Portugal’s sovereignty, ultimately leading to the rise of the House of Aviz and the consolidation of Portuguese independence.
The Siege of Lisbon (1384) and the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance
Following his defeat at the Battle of Atoleiros, John I of Castile launched a larger, second expedition into Portugalin 1384, this time leading the army himself. His goal was to crush the Portuguese resistance and secure the throne for his wife, Beatrice of Portugal, effectively annexing Portugal into Castile.
The Four-Month Siege of Lisbon (May–September 1384)
- The Castilian army reached Lisbon and laid siege to the city for four months (May–September 1384).
- John of Aviz and the people of Lisbon mounted a fierce defense, but the situation was dire.
- Nuno Álvares Pereira, Portugal’s most skilled general, launched harassment campaigns, disrupting Castilian supply lines and preventing reinforcements from arriving.
- By September 1384, the bubonic plague spread through the Castilian camp, further weakening the besiegers.
- Facing food shortages and disease, John I of Castile was forced to retreat, marking a turning point in the crisis.
Diplomatic Maneuvers and the English Alliance (1384)
- With Portugal’s independence still uncertain, John of Aviz sought international support, particularly from the Holy See and England.
- In October 1384, Richard II of England wrote to John of Aviz, reporting on successful negotiations between Portuguese envoys and the English Crown.
- The Portuguese diplomats included:
- Dom Fernando, Master of the Order of Santiago.
- Laurence Fogaça, Chancellor of Portugal.
- The agreement secured English military aid, with an English force to be sent to Portugal to help defend against Castile.
- This diplomatic effort solidified Portugal’s ties to England, reinforcing the Anglo-Portuguese alliance that would be formally cemented in 1386 by the Treaty of Windsor.
The Road to Aljubarrota (1385)
- With Castile temporarily repelled, John of Aviz strengthened his claim to the Portuguese throne.
- However, the threat from Castile was not over, and a decisive confrontation was still to come.
- The final battle for Portugal’s independence would take place in 1385 at Aljubarrota, where Portuguese and English forces, led by Nuno Álvares Pereira, would face Castile one last time.
The successful defense of Lisbon (1384) and the securing of English support were key moments in the 1383–1385 Crisis, ultimately ensuring Portugal’s continued independence.
The Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória at Batalha (1388): A Masterpiece of Late Gothic and Manueline Architecture
The Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória, commonly known as Batalha Monastery, is one of Portugal’s greatest architectural achievements. Built to commemorate the decisive Portuguese victory at the Battle of Aljubarrota (1385), its construction began in 1388 under King John I of Portugal.
A Symbol of National Triumph
- John I vowed to build the monastery in gratitude for the victory against Castile, which secured Portugal’s independence.
- The site chosen for construction was Batalha (meaning “battle”), near the Aljubarrota battlefield, reinforcing its significance as a symbol of Portuguese resilience.
- The monastery would also serve as the royal burial church for the House of Aviz, Portugal’s ruling dynasty in the 15th century.
Architectural Style: A Blend of Late Gothic and Manueline Influences
- The monastery’s design was inspired largely by the English Perpendicular Gothic style, reflecting Portugal’s strong alliance with England.
- Over time, Manueline elements—a uniquely Portuguese late Gothic style characterized by ornamental maritime and natural motifs—were integrated into the structure.
- The intricate stonework, ribbed vaulting, elaborate pinnacles, and magnificent stained glass windows make Batalha one of the finest Gothic masterpieces in Portugal.
A Lasting Legacy: The Aviz Dynasty's Royal Pantheon
- John I of Portugal and Philippa of Lancaster, along with their renowned sons—including Prince Henry the Navigator—are buried in the Founder’s Chapel (Capela do Fundador).
- The monastery became a center of royal patronage, hosting some of Portugal’s finest artisans and architects over the next two centuries.
- Its unfinished chapels (Capelas Imperfeitas), begun under King Duarte, remain an extraordinary example of Portugal’s evolving architectural styles.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Today, Batalha Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its historical, artistic, and symbolic significance.
- It stands as a monument to Portugal’s independence, the House of Aviz, and the age of exploration and maritime expansion that would follow in the 15th and 16th centuries.
The Monastery of Batalha remains one of the greatest expressions of Portuguese Gothic architecture, a lasting testament to the national pride and artistic innovation of medieval Portugal.
