Diogo, Duke of Viseu
Encyclopedia
Infante Diogo of Viseu (1450–1484) was the second son of Infante Fernando, Duke of Viseu
, and his wife Beatriz of Portugal.
In 1472, when his older brother John, Duke of Viseu
, died without issue, Diogo inherited his titles and estates as 4th Duke of Viseu
and 3rd Duke of Beja
.
Diogo was a popular personality at the court of his cousin King John II
, and together with Duke Fernando of Braganza, he was the main target of King John’s centralization policies. John II sought to limit the power of the upper nobility, which had increased greatly during the reign of John's father Afonso V of Portugal
.
Duke Fernando of Braganza, husband of Isabella of Viseu
, the sister of John II, was the first victim of John's efforts against the Portuguese nobility. He was imprisoned, tried and executed in Évora
. Once his sister Eleanor of Viseu was married to the king, Diogo thought he was protected from the king’s anger.
On two occasions, the king’s life was in danger and as Diogo of Viseu remained the leader of the upper nobility against the King’s policies, John II accused him of high treason and personally killed him.
After the execution, King John II called the duke’s younger brother, Infante Manuel of Viseu
, and showed him his brother’s body. He promised Manuel that he would consider his own son. At that moment, Manuel inherited his brother Diogo's titles and estates.
Duke Diogo never married, but when he was quite young he visited the Kingdom of Castile
, where he had a love affair Doña Leonor de Sotomaior y Portugal (great-granddaughter of King Pedro I of Portugal). With her he had a natural son, Afonso de Portugal. King Manuel I of Portugal granted this nephew, Afonso de Portugal, the position of 8th Constable of Portugal
. Afonso’s daughter and heir, Beatrice of Lara, married the 3rd Marquis of Vila Real
.
Infante Fernando, Duke of Viseu
The Infante Ferdinand, Prince of Portugal, Duke of Beja and Duke of Viseu was the third son of the Portuguese King Edward of Portugal and his wife Eleanor of Aragon.- Biography :...
, and his wife Beatriz of Portugal.
In 1472, when his older brother John, Duke of Viseu
John, Duke of Viseu
Infante John of Viseu was the older son of Infante Fernando, Duke of Viseu and of his wife Infanta Beatrice of Portugal....
, died without issue, Diogo inherited his titles and estates as 4th Duke of Viseu
Duke of Viseu
Duke of Viseu was a Portuguese Royal Dukedom created in 1415 by King John I of Portugal for his third male child, Prince Henry the Navigator, following the conquest of Ceuta....
and 3rd Duke of Beja
Duke of Beja
Duke of Beja was an aristocratic Portuguese title with the level of Royal Dukedom, associated with the Portuguese Royal House, created in 1453, by King Afonso V of Portugal for his younger brother Infante Ferdinand of Portugal.Infante Ferdinand younger son, became King of Portugal as Manuel I and,...
.
Diogo was a popular personality at the court of his cousin King John II
John II of Portugal
John II , the Perfect Prince , was the thirteenth king of Portugal and the Algarves...
, and together with Duke Fernando of Braganza, he was the main target of King John’s centralization policies. John II sought to limit the power of the upper nobility, which had increased greatly during the reign of John's father Afonso V of Portugal
Afonso V of Portugal
Afonso V KG , called the African , was the twelfth King of Portugal and the Algarves. His sobriquet refers to his conquests in Northern Africa.-Early life:...
.
Duke Fernando of Braganza, husband of Isabella of Viseu
Isabella of Viseu
Isabella of Viseu was a daughter of Infante Fernando, Duke of Viseu and his wife and cousin Infanta Beatrice, Duchess of Viseu. She was a member of the House of Aviz and later, House of Braganza.-Family:...
, the sister of John II, was the first victim of John's efforts against the Portuguese nobility. He was imprisoned, tried and executed in Évora
Évora
Évora is a municipality in Portugal. It has total area of with a population of 55,619 inhabitants. It is the seat of the Évora District and capital of the Alentejo region. The municipality is composed of 19 civil parishes, and is located in Évora District....
. Once his sister Eleanor of Viseu was married to the king, Diogo thought he was protected from the king’s anger.
On two occasions, the king’s life was in danger and as Diogo of Viseu remained the leader of the upper nobility against the King’s policies, John II accused him of high treason and personally killed him.
After the execution, King John II called the duke’s younger brother, Infante Manuel of Viseu
Manuel I of Portugal
Manuel I , the Fortunate , 14th king of Portugal and the Algarves was the son of Infante Ferdinand, Duke of Viseu, , by his wife, Infanta Beatrice of Portugal...
, and showed him his brother’s body. He promised Manuel that he would consider his own son. At that moment, Manuel inherited his brother Diogo's titles and estates.
Duke Diogo never married, but when he was quite young he visited the Kingdom of Castile
Kingdom of Castile
Kingdom of Castile was one of the medieval kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula. It emerged as a political autonomous entity in the 9th century. It was called County of Castile and was held in vassalage from the Kingdom of León. Its name comes from the host of castles constructed in the region...
, where he had a love affair Doña Leonor de Sotomaior y Portugal (great-granddaughter of King Pedro I of Portugal). With her he had a natural son, Afonso de Portugal. King Manuel I of Portugal granted this nephew, Afonso de Portugal, the position of 8th Constable of Portugal
Constable of Portugal
Constable of Portugal or Constable of the Kingdom was a title created by the King of Portugal Ferdinand I in 1382, to substitute the title Alferes Mór do Reino. The constable was the second most powerful person in the kingdom, after the King of Portugal...
. Afonso’s daughter and heir, Beatrice of Lara, married the 3rd Marquis of Vila Real
Marquis of Vila Real
Marquis of Vila Real was a Portuguese title of nobility created by a royal decree, dated from March 1, 1489, by King John II of Portugal, and granted to Dom Pedro de Menezes, also known as Peter II of Menezes, 3rd Count of Vila Real.The House of Vila Real was the most powerful aristocratic House...
.