Portugal's famous Love story

Diana Lima

@dianalima1671188923 · 18 Apr 2022

Portugal's famous Love story

In the 14th century, Prince Pedro, the heir to the Portuguese throne, was to marry Spanish Princess Constança from Castille; an arranged marriage, as often happened. Pedro, however, fell in love with one of her maids: Inés de Castro.
He went on and married the Spanish princess, but he maintained a love affair with Inés.

When the Queen died in childbirth, Pedro decided to make his relationship official. His father, then King of Portugal Afonso IV, was against it and forbade them to marry. But the couple decided to live together anyway, had children together, and may have secretly married.

A few years passed. Inés's brothers reportedly abused their position and influence in Court, and if the marriage had truly been celebrated the children would be heirs to the Portuguese throne. King Afonso became more and more against his son's alliance and wishing to put an end to it, he ordered Inés killed.

The cruel orders were carried out. A heartbroken, furious Pedro wanted revenge and was ready to start a war with his father. His mother the Queen intervened, and Pedro pretended to give up the idea, but after his father's death, his lover's killers suffered all his wrath. The new King Pedro was thus dubbed "The Cruel".

Pedro now had Inés crowned Queen, making her the first and only Portuguese queen crowned after her death, also making sure that the royal title was visible on her tomb. His tomb was built right next to hers, so that when he died he could be beside her for eternity. Although since the tombs were laid down they have been moved around a bit, they are currently back at the original location of Alcobaça Monastery.

Picture: Ernesto Ferreira Condeixa, Dom Pedro e Dona Inês, ca. late XIX century, Inês de Castro Foundation, Quinta das Lágrimas, Coimbra, Portugal. #history