Castilian Nobility. Born Maria Joanna Diaz, she was the daughter of a wealthy aristocrat and landowner from Vilagera. She lived for several years in a state of bigamy due to an illegitimate marriage (1355) with King Peter I of Castile, already married to Bianca of Borbone and later in a third marriage to Joanna de Castro. Despite these subterfuges and intrigues, after her death, her role as sole consort Queen was legitimized in a public decree endorsed by witnesses of the time. However, the approval of this decree had no the desired effect of legitimizing her son Alphonse as heir to the throne. In fact, with the extinction of the Burgundy dynasty, it was Henry II of Trastamara who succeeded Peter I the Cruel.
Castilian Nobility. Born Maria Joanna Diaz, she was the daughter of a wealthy aristocrat and landowner from Vilagera. She lived for several years in a state of bigamy due to an illegitimate marriage (1355) with King Peter I of Castile, already married to Bianca of Borbone and later in a third marriage to Joanna de Castro. Despite these subterfuges and intrigues, after her death, her role as sole consort Queen was legitimized in a public decree endorsed by witnesses of the time. However, the approval of this decree had no the desired effect of legitimizing her son Alphonse as heir to the throne. In fact, with the extinction of the Burgundy dynasty, it was Henry II of Trastamara who succeeded Peter I the Cruel.
Bio by: Lucy & Chris
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