Ferdinand I of Aragon

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Ferdinand I (of Aragón and Sicily), called The Just (27 November 1380 – 2 April 1416) was King of Aragón and Sicily from 1412 to 1416.

[edit] Biography

He was the younger son of King John I of Castile, and Eleanor of Aragon.

In 1406, upon the death of his elder brother King Henry III of Castile, Ferdinand declined the Castilian crown and instead, with Henry's widow Catherine, became coregent during the minority of his nephew John II of Castile. In this capacity he distinguished himself by his prudent administration of domestic affairs.

After Ferdinand's maternal uncle, Martin I of Aragon (as Martin II, also King of Sicily) died without surviving issue, Ferdinand was chosen king in 1412 to succeed him by the Pact of Caspe.

The most notable accomplishment of his brief reign was his agreement in 1416 to depose the Antipope Benedict XIII, thereby helping to end the Great Schism, which had divided the Western Church for nearly 40 years.

[edit] Family and children

In 1393, Ferdinand married Eleanor of Alburquerque (1374 - 1435). They had eight children:

Alfonso V of Aragon (1394-1458), also king of Sicily and Naples
Maria of Aragon, first wife of John II of Castile, (1396-1445) (not to be confused with a later Maria of Aragon)
John II of Aragon (1397-1479)
Henry of Aragon, Duke of Alburquerque, Count of Villena, Count of Empuries and Grand Master of the Order of Santiago (1400-1445)
Eleanor of Aragon (Queen of Portugal), who married Edward I of Portugal (1402-1445)
Isabella of Aragon, Countess of Urgel, who married Pedro, duke of Coimbra
Pedro of Aragon, Count of Alburquerque and Duke of Noto (1406-1438)
Sancho of Aragon (1410-1416)