Maria of Aragon, Queen of Portugal

Maria of Aragon (June 28, 1482 - March 7, 1517) was Queen Consort of Portugal by her marriage to Manuel I, she was the daughter of Isabella I and Ferdinand II. Her parents were known as the catholic monarchs. She was the second prettiest daughter after her older sister Catherine of Aragon.

Her older sister Isabella of Aragon married Manuel I, King of Portugal. Isabella of Aragon died a few days after she gave birth and her sister's husband was widowed. Maria was going to marry a Scottish king, but her younger sister Catherine married the enemy of the Scottish king, so having Maria marry Manuel would be a smart move.

Maria married Manuel and had 16 children before her death in 1516. She died of an unknown sickness.

Early Years
Maria was born on June 28, 1482 in Córdoba, Spain, her mother was Isabella and her father was Ferdinand. Her parents were the most powerful people in the world. She had a few other siblings whom were: Juan, Prince of Asturias, Isabella of Aragon, Joanna of Castile, and Catherine of Aragon. Her marriage was debated because more then anything her parents wanted Maria's younger sister Catherine to marry the future King of England. But her parents also wanted Maria to marry the Scottish king. But England and Scotland were enemies, Scotland and England had fought over lands for years.

Maria was also a possible candidate to marry a Medici, but the marriage was cancelled. Maria's older sister Joanna was already being married to the heir to the Duchy of Burgundy, Maria needed a partner so that she could create more heir's who would create more heirs.

Marriage to Manuel I, King of Portugal
One of the most focused king's was Manuel I. He was King of Portugal, a lot of monarch's wanted there daughters to marry him, but Manuel married Maria's older sister Isabella of Aragon. Isabella was pregnant with Manuel's heir so Isabella has a strong claim to the title "Queen Consort." Isabella gave birth in 1498, his name was Michael. Sadly Isabella of Aragon died, her son died 2 years after.

Now every kingdom in Europe was competing for the hand of Manuel I in marriage, Isabella and Ferdinand wanted Maria to now marry Manuel so that Maria could have a husband. Manuel proposed to Maria of Aragon in Isabella and Ferdinand's favor. Maria left Spain to go to Portugal, she was crowned Queen not long after. Maria gave birth to her first child Juan in 1502.

Issue
Maria and Manuel had 10 children which only 8 survived infancy.


 * Juan (John III, King of Portugal)
 * Isabella of Portugal
 * Beatrice of Portugal, Duchess of Savoy
 * Luís of Portugal, Duke of Beja
 * Ferdinand of Portugal, Duke of Guarda
 * Cardinal-Infante Afonso of Portugal
 * Henry, King of Portugal
 * Infanta Maria
 * Duarte, Duke of Guimarães
 * Infante Antonio

Death
Maria of Aragon died in 1517 probably of childbirth sickness, her sister Joanna's daughter Archduchess Eleanor of Austria married Manuel I, Joanna's other daughter Catherine of Austria married Maria son Juan.