Isabella of Portugal, Queen of Castile

Who was Isabella of Portugal, Queen of Castile?

Isabella of Portugal was Queen consort of Castile and León. She was the mother of Queen Isabella I "the Catholic".

She was born as a scion of a collateral branch of the Aviz dynasty that had ruled Portugal since 1385. Her father was John, Constable of Portugal, the youngest surviving son of John I of Portugal, and her mother was Isabella of Barcelos, a high noblewoman of some royal blood, being daughter of the first Duke of Braganza, who was an illegitimate son of John I of Portugal. Isabella of Braganza was therefore a half-niece of her husband. Isabella's father held some lordships, but was not among the forefront of the Portuguese royal house, there being a multitude of powerful dukes ahead of him.