Infante João, Lord of Reguengos de Monsaraz

The Infante João, 1st Lord of Reguengos de Monsaraz, Colares and Belas (pron. IPA2|ʒu'ɐ̃ũ; English: "John") (Santarém, January 13 1400 – October 18 1442, Alcácer do Sal) was a Portuguese "infante" of the House of Aviz, son of King John I of Portugal and his wife Philippa of Lancaster.

He was the 3rd Constable of Portugal, after the death of Nuno Álvares Pereira, and the 10th Master of the Order of St. James. He was also the 1st Lord of Reguengos de Monsaraz, Colares and Belas. In 1424, John married his half-niece Isabella of Braganza, daughter of his half-brother Afonso, Duke of Braganza.

During the reign of his brother Edward, John joined his brother Pedro, Duke of Coimbra against the expedition to Tangier that would end in a disaster. After the disaster he defended that the recently conquered Ceuta should be offered in exchange for his brother Ferdinand, the Saint Prince, that was captive in Tangier, something that was against Ferdinand's wishes.

In the beginning of his nephew Afonso V's reign, the regency of the kingdom was delegated on Queen Mother Leonor of Aragon (his sister-in-law). This decision in the will of late King Edward was controversial and soon popular discontent grew. It was John who installed himself in the capital Lisbon and avoided a rebellion. After that he refused the proposals for an alliance with Leonor of Aragon and his half-brother Afonso, Duke of Braganza, and defended the summoning of the "Cortes" to name Pedro, Duke of Coimbra the new regent.

Issue

*Diogo of Portugal, Constable of Portugal (1423–1443)
*Isabel of Portugal (1428–1496), married to John II of Castile and mother of Isabella I of Castile and Alfonso, Prince of Asturias
*Beatriz of Portugal (1430–1506), married to Infante dom Ferdinand, Duke of Viseu
*Filipa of Portugal (1432 – c. 1450), Lady of Almada

References