Individual Details
Diniz King of Portugal
(9 Oct 1261 - 7 Jan 1325)
Diniz was born in Lisbon on 9 October 1261, the son of Afonso III 'o Bolonhés', king of Portugal, and his second wife Beatriz of Castile, heiress of Alcozea, Salmeran and Vadesliras. He received a very good education from French and Portuguese scholars. In 1277 his rebellion against his father caused a civil war, and his father's sorrow over this hastened his death in 1279. Diniz became King of Portugal but his legitimacy was immediately disputed by his younger brother Alfonso, who had been born after the regularisation of their parents' marriage. They came to a compromise that left Diniz as the undisputed king. On 24 June 1282 in Barcelona he married Isabel of Aragón, daughter of Pedro III 'the Great', king of Aragón, and Constance of Sicily. Their children Constance and Afonso both would have progeny. Isabel would later be canonised as St. Isabel of Portugal.
Diniz founded the University of Lisbon, which was later moved to Coimbra. He was king for some forty-six years, a reign that brought comparative peace to Portugal. For his efforts he became known by the nicknames of 'the Labourer' or 'the Farmer'. He strengthened the major cities and built more towns; he also wrote poetry.
He had many affaires and fathered many children whom he favoured greatly. Two of them, Afonso Sanchez and Pedro, would have progeny. His sister, Abbess of Las Huelgas, became notorious for her love affaire with a carpenter, producing a son who later became Master of the Order of Calatrava, but who was beheaded by King Pedro 'the Cruel' of Castile. Diniz favoured his illegitimate sons, which caused a bitter dispute with his legal son and heir Afonso who took up arms against him and marched on Lisbon. However, the queen moved between the two armies and forced her husband to make peace with their son, which lasted until the death of Diniz in January 1325.
Source: Leo van de Pas
Diniz founded the University of Lisbon, which was later moved to Coimbra. He was king for some forty-six years, a reign that brought comparative peace to Portugal. For his efforts he became known by the nicknames of 'the Labourer' or 'the Farmer'. He strengthened the major cities and built more towns; he also wrote poetry.
He had many affaires and fathered many children whom he favoured greatly. Two of them, Afonso Sanchez and Pedro, would have progeny. His sister, Abbess of Las Huelgas, became notorious for her love affaire with a carpenter, producing a son who later became Master of the Order of Calatrava, but who was beheaded by King Pedro 'the Cruel' of Castile. Diniz favoured his illegitimate sons, which caused a bitter dispute with his legal son and heir Afonso who took up arms against him and marched on Lisbon. However, the queen moved between the two armies and forced her husband to make peace with their son, which lasted until the death of Diniz in January 1325.
Source: Leo van de Pas
Events
| Birth | 9 Oct 1261 | Lisbon, Portugal | |||
| Marriage | 24 Jun 1282 | Barcelona - St. Elisabeth of Aragon | |||
| Death | 7 Jan 1325 | Santarém |
Families
| Spouse | St. Elisabeth of Aragon (1271 - 1336) |
| Child | Alfonso IV King of Portugal (1291 - 1357) |
| Child | Constance of Portugal (1290 - 1313) |
| Father | Alfonso III King of Portugal (1210 - 1279) |
| Mother | Beatriz of Castilla (1242 - 1303) |