Constance of Castile (1354-1394)

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Constance of Castile (1354 – June 1394) was claimant of the Castilian throne after the death of her father Pedro the Cruel. Her mother Maria de Padilla was of Jewish converso descent. ^[1] She married, at Roquefort, near Bordeaux, Guienne, on 21 September 1371, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, third son of Edward III of England and Philippa of Hainault, as his second wife.

This was the way for Gaunt to obtain a kingdom of his own (he had also pursued Scotland), England having already many heirs with higher rights than his. John of Gaunt acted as King Consort, but was unsuccessful in obtaining Castile. Their daughter Catalina was married to the King of the Trastamara line, Henry III of Castile, thus uniting these two rival claims.

[edit] Children

• Catalina Plantagenet (1372–1418), married King Henry III of Castile (1379–1406)
• John Plantagenet (1372–1375)

[edit] References

1. ^ Peggy K. Liss, "Isabel the Queen," New York: Oxford University Press, 1992, p. 165; James Reston, Jr. "Dogs of God," New York: Doubleday, p. 18.

[edit] See also

• Constance of Castile for other women with this name.