John II of Castile
From Free net encyclopedia
Juan II (March 6, 1405 – July 20, 1454) was King of Castile from 1406 to 1454.
He was the son of Henry III of Castile and his wife Katherine of Lancaster, daughter of John of Gaunt by Constance of Castile, daughter of King Pedro I of Castile (aka. Pedro the Cruel). He was also great-grandson of King Edward III of England through the maternal line.
He succeeded his father on December 25, 1406, at the age of a year and ten months, and united in his person the claims of Pedro the Cruel and of the Trastamara. It was one of the many misfortunes of Castile that the long reign of John II—forty-nine years—should have been granted to one of the least capable of her kings. Juan was amiable, weak, and dependent on those about him. He had no taste except for ornament and no serious interest except in amusements such as verse-making, hunting, and tournaments.
He was entirely under the influence of his favourite, Alvaro de Luna, until his second wife, Queen Isabella of Portugal obtained control of his feeble will. At her instigation, he dismissed his faithful and able favorite, an act which is said to have caused him much remorse. He died on July 20, 1454, at Valladolid. By his second marriage he was the father of Isabella "the Catholic."
References
- This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition{{#if:{{{article|}}}| article {{#if:{{{url|}}}|[{{{url|}}}}} "{{{article}}}"{{#if:{{{url|}}}|]}}{{#if:{{{author|}}}| by {{{author}}}}}}}, a publication now in the public domain.Template:Start box
Template:Succession box Template:End boxca:Joan II de Castella de:Johann II. (Kastilien) es:Juan II de Castilla fr:Jean II de Castille it:Giovanni II di Castiglia nl:Johan II van Kastilië ja:フアン2世 (カスティーリャ王) pl:Jan II Kastylijski ru:Хуан II Кастильский sv:Johan II av Kastilien