Fernando, the Saint Prince

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Portuguese royalty
House of Avis

John I Children    Infante Duarte (future Edward I)    Infante Pedro, Duke of Coimbra    Henry the Navigator (Infante Henrique, Duke of Viseu)    Infanta Isabel, Duchess of Burgundy    Infante João, Lord of Reguengos    Infante Fernando, the Saint Prince    Afonso, Duke of Braganza (illegitimate)    Beatriz, Countess of Arundel (illegitimate) Grandchildren include    Infanta Isabel of Coimbra, Queen of Portugal Edward Children    Afonso, Prince of Portugal (future Afonso V)    Infante Fernando, Duke of Viseu    Infanta Leonor, Holy Roman Empress    Infanta Catarina    Infanta Joana, Queen of Castile Grandchildren include    Infante Manuel, Duke of Beja (future Manuel I)    Infanta Leonor of Viseu, Queen of Portugal Great-Grandchildren include    Jaime, Duke of Braganza, Prince of Portugal Afonso V Children include    João, Prince of Portugal    Blessed Joana, Princess of Portugal    João, Prince of Portugal (future John II) John II    Afonso, Prince of Portugal    Jorge, Duke of Coimbra (illegitimate)

The Infante Fernando (pronounced [fɨɾˈnɐ̃du]; English: Ferdinand) - (September 29, 1402-June 5, 1443), commonly known as the Saint Prince (Portuguese: Infante Santo; more correctly translated to the Holy Infante) was an Infante of Portugal of the House of Aviz. Fernando was the sixth son of King John I of Portugal and his wife Philippa of Lancaster.

Fernando soon became interested in religious questions and, still young, he was ordered Grand Master of the Order of Aviz by his father. In 1437 he participated in a military expedition in North Africa, along with his older brothers. The campaign would prove disastrous and Fernando was made a prisoner by the Marinid dynasty. As a ransom, the Sultan demanded the devolution of Ceuta, conquered by the Portuguese in 1415. Fernando decided he did not want to be released in exchange for the precious city, and wished to remain in captivity. Portuguese officials also declined his release, forcing his brother Henry the Navigator to leave him in the hands of the Fez. He died in Fes in 1443.

His remains were transferred to the Monastery of Batalha in 1471, where they lie in the Founder's Chapel. His sacrifice in the name of national interests gave him his nickname the Saint Prince (Portuguese: o Infante Santo).

He was beatified in 1470, and the Bollandists have included his life in their great publication.