Discover

'Beltrán de la Cueva' (Ubeda, 1443 - November 2 1492), was a Spanish nobleman and presumed lover of Queen Joan of Portugal.
King Enrique IV, in his second year as King, travelled to Ubeda and stayed with Beltran's father, Diego Fernandez de la Cueva. When he left this house, he took Diego's second oldest son, Beltran, with him to stay at Court to show his gratitude to Diego. (Diego offered Beltran after Enrique asked for Diego's oldest son, whom Diego wanted to keep close by).
Beltran soon becomes the King's favourite and marries Cardinal Mendoza's niece, Mencia.

He is, however, best known for having an affair with Enrique's second wife, Joan of Portugal. It was rumoured that her only daughter, Juana, princess of Castile was fathered by Beltran and not by the King himself, who was considered impotent.

This made Juana illegitimate in the eyes of some, which led to a four-year War of the Castilian Succession, which was won by Isabella I of Castile, Enrique's half-sister.
In 1463 Beltran is removed from Court and receives as compensation the title of Duke of Albuquerque.

In 1467 he fights in the Battle of Olmedo against the rebels supporting Alfonso of Castile, Prince of Asturias.
In the War of the Castilian Succession, he supports los Reyes Católicos against his presumed daughter Juana.

He also distinguished himself in the conquest of Granada.
A widower in 1474 he married a daughter of the Duke of Alba, and after his second wifes death he married in 1479 Maria de Velasco, duaghter of the Constable of Castile, don Pedro Fernández de Velasco.
Beltran de la Cueva died in 1492 and was buried in Cuéllar.

Contents

Source

Source

Summarized and Translated from "Don Beltran de la Cueva" http://www.castillosdejirm.com/beltrancueva.htm