Alfonso, Prince of Asturias (1453-1468)

Alfonso, Prince of Asturias
Prince of Asturias
Sculpture of Alfonso in his tomb in Burgos.
Born	17 November 1453 Tordesillas
Died	5 July 1468(1468-07-05) (aged 14) Cardeñosa
Burial	Miraflores Charterhouse
House	House of Trastámara
Father	John II of Castile
Mother	Isabella of Portugal
Religion	Roman Catholicism

Alfonso the Innocent (17 November 1453 – 5 July 1468) was the figurehead of rebelling Castilian magnates against his half-brother Henry IV, who had recognized him as heir presumptive with the title of Prince of Asturias.

Alfonso was the only surviving son of John II by his second wife, Isabella of Portugal. Alfonso's sister, the future Isabella I of Castile, was also the product of this second marriage.

After the death of his father, John II, Alfonso, his mother and sister were virtually exiled, his mother to Arevalo and the children to Segovia. When Alfonso was around seven years of age the two children were moved to Henry's court at Madrid and were placed in Queen Joan's household. During this period it is rumored that Queen Joan tried to poison Alfonso on at least one occasion, to pave the way for her own daughter to inherit the throne.

In early 1460s, Castilian nobles became dissatisfied with the rule of King Henry IV, and believed that the child (Joanna, Princess of Asturias) that Henry's wife Queen Joan had given birth to was not sired by Henry. Propaganda and rumour encouraged by the league of rebellious nobles argued that her father was Beltrán de la Cueva, a royal favorite of low background who had been elevated to enormous power by Henry and who, by some, has been suggested as Henry's lover. This resulted in the name "Juana la Beltraneja", which has stuck with the girl throughout history. If Joanna were illegitimate, the next candidate would be Alfonso. If she were legitimate—which is entirely possible—then Alfonso and, ultimately, his famous sister Isabella the Catholic would both have been usupers. Considering Isabella's impact on world history, this question has fascinated historians for centuries.

The league of nobles controlling Alfonso forced Henry with the 1464 Representation of Burgos to repudiate Joanna and recognize Alfonso as his official heir. Alfonso then became Prince of Asturias, a title previously held by Joanna. Henry agreed to the compromise with the stipulation that Alfonso someday marry Joanna, to ensure that they both would one day receive the crown.