Luisa of Medina-Sidonia
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Luisa de Guzmán (Portuguese: Luísa de Gusmão; October 31, 1613 – February 27, 1666) was a Queen of Portugal by marriage. She was the wife of King John IV, the first Braganza ruler, as well as the mother of two Kings of Portugal (Afonso VI and Pedro II) and a Queen of England (Catherine of Braganza).
[edit] Biography
She was Spanish by birth, the daughter of Juan Manuel Perez de Guzman, the 8th Duke of Medina Sidonia, and Juana Lorenza Gomez de Sandoval y la Cerda. Her father's father was the renowned Alonso de Guzmán, "El Bueno"; her great-great-grandfather was St. Francis Borgia. Despite her Spanish roots, the ambitious Luisa guided her husband's policies during the Portuguese rebellion against Spain of 1640. She is considered the main influence behind her husband John IV's acceptation of the Portuguese throne when the Revolution seemed to tend to the Portuguese side. It is said that being warned of the dangers of becoming Queen of a country that was to face Spain's might she pronounced the famous words:
- Antes rainha um dia (in some versions uma hora) que duquesa toda a vida.
- Rather Queen for a day (in some versions an hour) than a duchess all my life.
When she was made aware of a failed attempt to murder the King in 1641, she is said to have been one of the members of the Corte, which supported the execution of nobles like the Duke of Caminha.
She was named Regent of the Kingdom after her husband's death and during the minority of her son Afonso VI. She continued to occupy the post even after Afonso became an adult because her son was mentally unstable. She was the target of a failed conspiracy headed by Luís de Vasconcelos e Sousa, Count of Castelo Melhor.
She is also mainly responsible for the diplomatic success of the new alliance with England, as well as the organization of the armies that in the next year would completely secure Portuguese independence through the victories in the Portuguese Restoration War.
She defended the principles of freedom and independence of the Kingdom and controlled the government with a strong hand fearing her son was incapable.
Her daughter Catherine married Charles II of England.
[edit] Trivia
It is assumed Luisa had vitiligo as evidenced in the white streak in her hair in many paintings.
| Preceded by Elisabeth of Bourbon |
Queen Consort of Portugal 1 December 1640 - 6 November 1656 |
Succeeded by Maria Francisca of Nemours |
