Matrimonial strategies of the Portuguese royal house in the 16th century, with Ana Isabel Buescu
‘Women are double protagonists in the ‘marriage markets’. You have to look for a wife for a king, but they are also strategic players in alliances with other kingdoms,’ explains Ana Isabel Buescu in this episode of CHAM Talks. ‘Marriages are always a political issue, which could bring advantages. The big question is the dowry, which can make a marriage viable or enhance it - or the opposite,’ she adds, pointing out that marriages of this kind have also given rise to real love relationships between the spouses. Ana Isabel Buescu reflects on the marriages and reigns of King Manuel I, King João III, King Sebastião, Queen Catherine of Austria, Charles V, the Infanta Beatriz of Portugal, Francis I of France and Charles II, Duke of Savoy, among others.
Ana Isabel Buescu is a Senior Researcher at CHAM. She has a PhD in History from NOVA FCSH, where she teaches Modern History. In addition to articles in national and foreign academic journals, she has published several books, including biographies of D. João III; Catarina de Áustria. Infanta de Tordesilhas, Rainha de Portugal; D. Beatriz de Portugal. A Infanta Esquecida; A livraria renascentista de D. Teodósio I, duque de Bragança; and Na Corte dos Reis de Portugal. Saberes, Ritos e Memórias. Estudos sobre o século XVI.
The interview is conducted by Teresa Lacerda.
Coordenation
Isabel Araújo Branco (CHAM)
Organization
CHAM / NOVA FCSH
