The Fortunes of João I’s Illegitimate Children:
Afonso of Braganza & Beatrice of Portugal
King João I of Portugal, before his celebrated marriage to Philippa of Lancaster, fathered two notable children with Inês Pires, Afonso, later Duke of Braganza, and Beatrice, Countess of Arundel and later Countess of Huntingdon. Though born out of wedlock, both children rose to prominence in Portugal and abroad, each following a very different path through history.
Afonso, Duke of Braganza (1377–1461)
From Bastard to Dynasty Founder
Afonso, born around 1377, was João I’s eldest son. Though illegitimate, he was legitimised by his father and rose rapidly in royal favour. In 1401, he became Count of Barcelos, and later, in 1442, was granted the title Duke of Braganza, founding the powerful House of Braganza.
His marriage to Beatriz Pereira de Alvim, daughter of the legendary general Nuno Álvares Pereira, further solidified his political position. Over time, the Braganzas became one of Portugal’s wealthiest and most influential noble families. Their importance peaked in 1640, when a Braganza descendant, João II, 8th Duke of Braganza, became King João IV, ending Spanish rule and initiating the Braganza royal dynasty, which ruled Portugal until the monarchy’s abolition in 1910.
Afonso’s life is a remarkable example of how strategic alliances and royal favour could transform an illegitimate son into a dynasty founder and cornerstone of national history.
Beatrice of Portugal (c. 1380 – 1439)
A Life Between Two Courts
Beatrice, Afonso’s sister, was born around 1380, likely in Veiros, Alentejo. Like her brother, she was raised in the royal household and educated under the supervision of Queen Philippa, João I’s English wife. Despite her illegitimate status, Beatrice was treated with dignity and arranged a prestigious marriage that would connect the Portuguese and English crowns even further.
In 1405, she was married by proxy in Lisbon to Thomas Fitzalan, 12th Earl of Arundel, and later that year travelled to England with a grand entourage, including her brother Afonso and several Portuguese nobles. The official wedding took place on 26 November 1405 in London, with King Henry IV present.
Sadly, Thomas died in 1415, leaving Beatrice a widow. In 1432, she remarried, this time to John Holland, 2nd Earl of Huntingdon, a nephew of Queen Philippa. Despite her high-profile marriages, it remains unclear whether Beatrice had any children. She died in Bordeaux, France, in November 1439. Her legacy, unlike her brother's, did not establish a lasting lineage, and she is sometimes mistakenly identified with another Portuguese noblewoman, Beatrice Pinto.
Two Paths from the Same Bloodline
Though both born of the same parents and outside of wedlock, Afonso and Beatrice lived markedly different lives.
Afonso stayed close to the Portuguese court, used his influence wisely, and founded a dynasty.
Beatrice, by contrast, was shaped by international diplomacy, living between the courts of England and France, representing Portugal in the highest aristocratic circles of Europe.
Together, their lives reflect the flexibility and limits of illegitimacy in medieval royalty. While not born to a queen, their royal blood and their father’s favour opened doors to power, prestige, and in Afonso’s case, a lasting royal legacy.
Inês Pires: The Mother Behind the Founders of a Dynasty
Though much of Portugal's medieval history is filled with kings, queens, and noble bloodlines, few figures are as quietly influential as Inês Pires, the mother of Afonso, Duke of Braganza, and Beatrice of Portugal. She was the mistress of João I of Portugal before his marriage to Philippa of Lancaster, and while her children would rise to noble and royal ranks, Inês herself lived largely in the shadows of the royal court.
Origins and Background
Historical records about Inês Pires are limited, and what exists is often speculative or contradictory. Some sources, including the 15th-century royal chronicler Fernão Lopes, mention her simply as a Galician woman of unknown background. Later interpretations, especially from the 18th century, offer more detail, naming her Inês Pires de Esteves, possibly the daughter of a Jewish cobbler, a claim that has stirred both historical interest and controversy.
Other accounts argue that she belonged to an old noble family, suggesting that her children's favourable positions at court might have stemmed from more than just royal favour. Regardless of her precise background, what is clear is that her relationship with João I was more than a fleeting affair, it resulted in two of the most significant figures of their generation.
Relationship with João I
Inês Pires became the mistress of João I before he became king and before his marriage to Philippa of Lancaster in 1387. Their relationship produced two children, Afonso (b. 1377) and Beatrice (b. circa 1380). While such unions were not uncommon in royal courts, what stands out is how acknowledged and legitimised her children became.
It’s likely that Inês never held an official place at court, particularly after João's marriage to the English princess, but her children were accepted, educated, and raised alongside the legitimate royal heirs. Queen Philippa herself is known to have supervised their education, a testament to the inclusive atmosphere fostered within the Aviz dynasty.
A Life in Silence, a Legacy in History
Inês Pires remains an enigmatic figure. She lived in a time when women, especially those without titles, were rarely given a voice in the historical record. Yet, through her children, she became an unwitting matriarch of one of Europe’s most influential dynasties. Her life reminds us that even those who stood outside the spotlight of court life can cast long and lasting shadows across history.