Ferdinand was born in
Almeirim on 17 November 1433, and died in
Setúbal on 18 September 1470. He was twice sworn
Prince of Portugal (title granted to the presumptive heir to the throne): first between 1438 and 1451, once his older brother became king
Afonso V of Portugal and had no children; and for the second time, in 1451, when
Prince João was born, but died months later. When Afonso V's first daughter,
Princess Joan, was born (1452), Infante Ferdinand finally lost this title. In 1452, Ferdinand fled the country looking for adventure. Some say he wanted to go to the north African cities controlled by the Portuguese; others say that he wanted to join his uncle, the King
Alfonso I of Naples, in his campaigns in southern
Italy. It seems Ferdinand had the hope to inherit his uncle's kingdom, as he had no legitimate children. However, his brother, King
Afonso V of Portugal, as soon as he knew about Ferdinand's escape, ordered to the
Count of Odemira, which was patrolling the
strait of Gibraltar with a fleet, to intercept the infante's ship and bring him back to mainland
Portugal.
Duke of Beja and Viseu In 1453, his brother, King
Afonso V of Portugal granted him the title of 1st
Duke of Beja. When his uncle,
Prince Henry died, in 1460, he also became 2nd
Duke of Viseu as well. He also succeeded his uncle as Master of the
Order of Christ and responsible for the
Discoveries (1460–1470). He was finally allowed to fight in north Africa: first in 1458 he escorted the king to the conquest of the
Moroccan city of
Alcácer Ceguer; and for a second time, in 1468, he led a Portuguese fleet that conquered and destroyed the port of
Anfa (
Anafé in Portuguese), today included in
Casablanca, which was a
barbary corsairs base. He was buried in the
Religiosas da Conceição monastery, in
Beja, founded by his wife.
Marriage and children He married his cousin
Beatrice of Portugal (Portuguese:
Beatriz) in 1447, daughter of
Infante João, Lord of Reguengos (his uncle). From this marriage, Ferdinand had nine children: • Infante
João (1448–1472), 3rd
Duke of Viseu, 2nd
Duke of Beja, 7th
Constable of Portugal; • Infante
Diogo (1450–1484), 4th
Duke of Viseu, 3rd
Duke of Beja; • Infanta
Eleanor of Viseu (1458–1525), married to King
John II of Portugal, becoming Queen of Portugal; • Infanta
Isabella of Viseu (1459–1521), married to
Ferdinand II, Duke of Braganza; • Infante Duarte of Viseu (1462–1476 or after); • Infante Simão of Viseu (died in 1465/1470); • Infanta Catarina of Viseu (1465–bef.1470); • Infante Dinis of Viseu (1468–bef.1470); • Infante
Manuel (1469–1521), 5th
Duke of Viseu, 4th
Duke of Beja. Became
King of Portugal, as Manuel I, following his cousin's (
John II) death. ==Ancestry==