John II of Castile

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

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 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 Isabella "the Catholic."

This entry was originally from the 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica.