gaskells:portuguese history meme + catarina de bragança [3/6 women]Catarina de Braganç

gaskells:portuguese history meme + catarina de bragança [3/6 women]Catarina de Bragança (1638-1705) was the third surviving child of João II, Duke of Bragança, and his andalusian wife, Luisa de Guzmán. In 1640, a group of conspirators plotted to overthrow the spanish rule and to convince her reluctant husband, Luisa held up the toddler Catarina and asked if João would deprive her of the dignity of Infanta. The plot was successful and her father took the throne as João IV of Portugal. Catarina and her siblings grew largely sheltered due to fear of assassination atempts. In 1662, her marriage was arranged by her mother Queen Regent Luisa, to Charles II of England. In return for english military support, Catarina would bring with her a dowry of two million crusados as well as control of Bombay and Tangiers.The marriage with Charles was childless and unpopular due to her Catholicism. Nevertheless, despite her lack of influence and interest in British politics (she was active in gaining recognition for Portugal’s independence with the Pope) Catarina made tea, cutlery and porcelain popular in England as well as being a great patron of Italian Opera and an avid archer. Charles never accepted to divorce from Catarina, for whom he had genuine respect and affection, despite his many affairs. The Popish Plot, where she was accused of plotting to kill Charles was treated by him with disdain. Charles died in 1685 and Catarina remained in England, unsuccessfuly pleading for the life of her husband’s illegitimate son, the Duke of Monmouth. Her life became increasingly difficult after the Glorious Revolution and her fraught relationship with Mary II. Catarina would finally return to Portugal in 1692, mentoring her nephew, the future João V, and serving as regent for her brother on two different occasions. She died in 1705 at the age of 67. -- source link

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