Due to the
Aviz dynasty marriage policy, Beatrice was first cousin and sister-in-law of king
Afonso V of Portugal, first cousin once removed and mother-in-law of king
John II of Portugal, first cousin and mother-in-law of
Ferdinand II, 3rd Duke of Braganza and mother of king
Manuel I of Portugal, playing an active role in politics during the consecutive reigns of Afonso V, John II and Manuel I. Through her sister
Isabella, wife of
John II of Castile, she was an aunt of
Isabella I of Castile, helping to settle both the
Treaty of Alcáçovas and the
Treaty of Terçarias de Moura between the
Kingdom of Portugal and the
Kingdom of Castile, after meeting with her niece Isabella in person. She was also predominant in the
Order of Santiago, acting as tutor for her son Diogo. Infanta Beatrice protected and encouraged
Gil Vicente, a Portuguese playwright, considered as the
father of the Portuguese theatre. She founded the
Religiosas da Conceição monastery, in
Beja, where her husband was buried.
Marriage and children In 1447, Beatrice married her cousin
Infante Ferdinand (Portuguese:
Fernando), 2nd
Duke of Viseu, son of King
Edward of Portugal (her uncle). From this marriage, they 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==