February 27, 1666 death of Luisa de Guzman, Queen consort of Portugal
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Luisa María Francisca de Guzmán y Sandoval was born October 31, 1616 in Santucar, Spain. Her father was Juan Manuel Pérez de Guzmán, 8th Duke of Medina Sidonia. Her mother Juana Lorenza Gomez de Sandoval y de la Cerda was the daughter of Francisco Gómez de Sandoval, 1st Duke of Lerma. She had at least one brother Gaspar who succeeded her father as the 9th Duke.
In 1633 she was married to the powerful Portugese noble John, Duke of Braganza. The bride was 17 and the groom was 26. John had succeeded his father as Duke 3 years previous when his father died insane.
At the time Philip III (IV of Spain) was on the throne. But when he began taxing merchants and stripping power from the local nobles, rebelion grew. The Forty conspirators initiated a revolution against Philip, fearing he planned to turn Portugal into a province of Spain. Philip was busy fighting both the thirty years war and an uprising in Catalonia and didn't have the men to fight in Portugal as well.
The choice for new king fell to John. John's grandmother Catherine, Duchess of Braganza had been a claimant to the throne on the death of King Henry. Through his descent from Catherine John's claim was strong. It is said Luisa convinced her husband to accept the offer of the throne. She seems to have said 'a day as queen is better then a life time as duchess'. Luisa was described as ruthless in her time.
Her husband, now known as John IV, died in 1657. Their eldest remaining son was only 14 and Luisa was named regent. Her son was mentally unstable and even after he came of age in 1662 she retained her position.
Luisa was a strong ruler, defending the independence of Portugal. She knew Alfonso would never rule, and wished to maintain an independent throne for her youngest son. She maintained a strong army helping to ensure their victories of the war of Portugese restoration. She also helped to establish the strong political alliance with England.
She died at the age of 52, almost 9 years after her husband died. Of her seven children, she out lived 4 (2 of whom died at birth). While she would not live to see him take the throne, her youngest did come to the throne as she hoped.
Her children:
-Teodósio: was prince of Brazil, and after the death of his Uncle Duarte, his father made him 10th Duke of Braganza. He died unmarried at 19. His death left unease as his next brother was the mentally unstable Alfonso.
-Ana: died at birth
-Joana: Princess of Beira. She died unmarried at the age of 18.
-Catherine: married Charles II of England. The couple sadly had no children and he was succeeded by his brother James.
-Manuel: died at birth
-Alfonso: succeeded his father as Alfonso VI but he was mentally unstable and his mother reigned for him. He was married to Maria Francisca of Savoy but the marriage was annulled as he was impotent. After his mother's death, his younger brother Pedro seized power. He never officially deposed Alfonso but he too all power and Alfonso was basically a prisoner for the rest of his life.
-Pedro: Pedro became Pedro II officially when Alfonso died in 1683. He had married Alfonso's former wife Maria Francisca of Savoy. He was the father of Luisa's only grandchildren. He and Maria had one daughter Isabel. By his second wife Maria Sophia of Neuburg he had seven children (5 of whom reached adulthood). He was succeeded by his eldest son by his second wife, John V. Of his six children who reached adulthood, only John married and had any children.