Joao I, King of Portugal 1385-1433
(1357-1433)
Born 11 April 1357 Lisboa
Died 14 August 1433 Lisboa
Married 11 February 1387 Oporto
Philippa of Lancaster, daughter of John of Gaunt, Duke of
Lancaster and Blanche of Lancaster
Born 31 March 1360 Leicester
Died 19 July 1415 Odivelas nr Lisboa
Children by Inez Perez Esteves, daughter of Pedro
Esteves and Mecia Annes
Born the illegitimate son of Pedro I, King of Portugal, he was elected
King of Portugal by the people of Lisbon. This followed a popular revolt
against the efforts of Beatrice, daughter and heiress of his half-brother
Ferdinand I, to pass the Portuguese throne to her husband, Juan I of Castile.
A victory against the Castilians at Aljubarrota (1385) secured Portuguese
independence, though peace with Castile was not formally concluded until
1411. Joao I allied himself with England in 1386, and
married John of Gaunt's daughter Philippa in 1387. His reign saw many
administrative reforms and the beginnings of Portuguese colonial and maritime
expansion, under the auspices of Joao's son Henry the
Navigator.
Source: Leo van de Pas |
