John II of Castile and Leon

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Juan, II de Castilla i León
Title: 9th Monarch of Castile and Leon
 Term in office: 14061454
 Predecessor: King Enrique III
 Successor: King Enrique IV
Birth:  
 Date: 1405
 Place: ...
Death:  
 Date: 1454
 Place: Valladolid
Profession: ...
Relgious Affiliation: Catholic

Juan II (March 6, 1405 - July 20, 1454), King of Castile and Leon was the son of Enrique III and of his wife Catherine of Dover, daughter of John of Gaunt by Constance of Castile, daughter of King Pedro I.

He succeeded his father on December 25, 1406, at the age of a year and ten months, and united in his person the claims of Pedro the Cruel and of the Trastamara. It was one of the many misfortunes of Castile and Leon that the long reign of John II —forty-nine years— should have been granted to one of the least capable of her kings. John was amiable, weak, and dependent on those about him. He had no taste except for ornament and no serious interest except in amusements, verse-making, hunting, and tournaments.

He was entirely under the influence of his favourite, Alvaro de Luna, until his second wife, Isabella of Portugal, obtained control of his feeble will. At her instigation he threw over his faithful and able favorite, a meanness which is said to have caused him much remorse. He died on July 20, 1454, at Valladolid. By his second marriage he was the father of Alfonso XII, "the Catholic."

Preceded by:
Enrique III
King of Castile Succeeded by:
Enrique IV