Why was she betrothed to Afonso V of Portugal ?

• Goal : To forge a powerful alliance with Portugal.


• After disputes about succession and civil unrest in Castile (including doubts about Henry IV’s daughter Juana's legitimacy), Henry tried to marry Isabella off to Afonso V of Portugal , who also had a claim to the Castilian throne (through marriage to

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Why did Henry IV want Isabella to marry Pedro Girón (the Castilian noble)?

• Goal : To secure the loyalty of the powerful Girón family and the Castilian nobility during a time of instability.


• Pedro Girón was the Grand Master of the Order of Calatrava , and although much older than Isabella (and considered cruel and corrupt), his support could help

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