Thread by @Arby_K

An illegitimate son of a king, fearing his life after his father's death, rebels against his half brother, who pardons him after defeating him.

But eventually he would seize the throne and kill the king, setting up a dynasty to reunite a broken nation.

Story in the evening ...

https://twitter.com/Arby_K/status/1325982692886736900

Enrique Alfonso was born in 1334 to King Alfonso XI of Castile and his mistress Leonor de Guzman. Illegitimate children were common for generations in Castilian royal household, but Alfonso would pamper his mistress and children much to the envy of his wife and son, Pedro. 1/10

Alfonso died in 1350, with Pedro succeeding as King. His mother would see to the execution of her rival quickly, leading to Enrique and his brothers flee from the palace. The next two decades would see Enrique and his brothers set up many rebellions against Pedro. 2/10

Enrique would receive support from the King of Aragon in his rebellion. Initially this would end in failure. Pardoned by his brother, Enrique would end up in France, where he would find another eager supporter. 3/10

In 1353, Pedro would marry Blanche de Bourbon, cousin of the French king, Jean II. But Pedro would quickly repudiate the marriage and eventually get her killed. King Jean though had his own problems, dealing with one of the greatest knights of the era - The Black Prince. 4/10

In 1366, the King of Aragon would again fight the King of Castile. This time though Aragon would prevail, and Enrique would be crowned king. Now it was time for Pedro to flee and he would return supported by Edward, Prince of Wales and his younger brother, John of Gaunt. 5/10

The Black Prince would defeat Enrique at Nájera in 1367 returning Pedro to the throne. But as Pedro failed to keep the promises he gave to the prince, the prince would return to his base in Aquitaine, allowing Enrique to return and eventually kill Pedro in 1369. 6/10

Enrique's hold on the Castilian throne was not yet complete. He would face a challenge from the King of Portugal who was aided by John of Gaunt. John of Gaunt having married Pedro's daughter claimed the Castilian throne for himself. In the end though, Enrique would prevail. 7/10

In 1410, the legitimate line of House of Barcelona which was ruling Aragon ended. Enrique's grandson, Fernando, was eventually proclaimed as the new King in 1412. His nephew, Juan, was the King of Castile at the time, though they kept the two state separate. 8/10

In 1469, Fernando's grandson would marry the daughter of Juan uniting Aragon and Castile in 1516 with their daughter Juana, creating present day Spain stitched back together after the collapse of Visigothic Kingdom in 711. 9/10

The Black Prince having returned empty handed from Castile would raise taxes in his French province of Aquitaine to retrieve the expenses incurred. The French King Charles would take advantage of Edward's losing support in Aquitaine and regain territories in France. 10/10