King of Castile, nicknamed “The Impotent” (ruled 1454–1474), was the last of the weak late medieval kings of Castile. During Henry's reign the nobles increased in power and the nation became less centralised. LS in Old Spanish, signed “Yo el Rey (I the King),” one page, 8.5 x 5.5, May 13, 1465. Untranslated letter in which Henry sends thanks to Juan Perez Ponce de Leon, 2nd Count of Arcos, for his latest letter and expresses pleasure with the reply the Count has given to the Infanta and his followers. The King tells the Count that he has always acted on his behalf as he himself would have done, and gives him leave to continue acting on his behalf. The King promises to “soon give remedy to all things as will please you.” In fine condition, with intersecting folds, a couple lightly affecting signature.
Henry IV married Joan, sister of King Alfonso V of Portugal in 1455 as his second wife and in 1462 she gave birth to Joanna, "the Infanta," mentioned in this letter. At the time of Joanna's birth, Henry was rumored to be impotent and most of his subjects believed that "the Infanta" was not Henry's heir, but the daughter of a Castilian noble with whom his queen was having an affair. When civil war broke out over the question of a legitimate succession, Henry sought assistance from his loyal nobles, including the Count of Arcos, an Andulusian nobleman who had been a member of his father's council. This letter, signed by Henry as "I the King," [the ancient customary formal signature of Spanish monarchs], was written as the king sought support within his kingdom and gave the count "leave to continue acting in his behalf." Less than a month later Henry IV was deposed in favor of the king's 11-year-old half brother, King Alfonso XII and when Alfonso died in 1468 his sister, Isabella, became the recognized heir but refused the throne while Henry was still alive, thus ending the civil war. When Henry finally died in 1474, Joanna's claim to the throne was dismissed because of her questionable parentage and Isabella, her aunt, became queen. However, Joanna always believed she was the rightful Queen of Spain. that she should have succeeded Henry IV, and took to signing her letters “Yo la Reyna” (“I the Queen”). RRAuction COA.
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