Joan, Princess of Portugal

Joanna of Portugal OP (6 February 1452 – 12 May 1490; , ) was a Portuguese regent princess of the House of Aviz, daughter of King Afonso V of Portugal and his first wife, Queen Isabel of Coimbra. She served as regent during the absence of her father in 1471. In 1475 she became a cloistered nun of the Dominican Order. She is venerated in the Catholic Church with the title 'Blessed', is commemorated by a feast on May 12, and is commonly known in Portugal as Holy Princess Joan .

Early life Joanna was the second child of Afonso, but after the early death of her older brother John in 1451, she was recognized as heir presumptive and given the title of Princess of Portugal. Other children of the king were infantes. Upon the birth of her younger brother, the future John II of Portugal, in 1455, she ceased to be heir presumptive, but among the people she continued to be known as Princess Joanna.

From a young age, Joanna expressed a desire to become a nun; however, as she was second-in-line to the throne, her father did not allow it.

During his military expedition to Tangier in 1471, Joanna served as Regent of the Portuguese Kingdom.

Marriage proposals After vehemently refusing several proposals of marriage, Although she has not been canonized, in Portugal she is known as the Princess Saint Joanna.

Revival In the early 18th century, the Portuguese nobility, clergy and court had a revival in interest in the princess. During this time, the Portuguese artist Manuel Ferreira e Sousa was the most famous artist in the revival. He was contracted by various religious institutions, noblemen, and even the royal family to paint scenes from her life.

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Ancestry