The Accord of Bayonne (1388) and the…
1388 CE
The Accord of Bayonne (1388) and the Creation of the Title "Prince of Asturias"
After two decades of civil war, succession disputes, and a long rivalry between John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and the Trastámara dynasty, Castile finally found stability through diplomatic compromise. The resolution came in 1388 with the marriage of the future Henry III of Castile to Catherine of Lancaster, daughter of John of Gaunt and Constance of Castile.
The Marriage Pact and the End of the Lancastrian Claim
- Since 1369, Castile had been embroiled in a succession conflict between the legitimate but deposed heirs of Peter I of Castile and the ruling Trastámara line, established by Henry II of Castile.
- John of Gaunt had long claimed the Castilian throne through his marriage to Constance of Castile, Peter I’s daughter.
- The Accord of Bayonne (1388) settled the conflict by:
- Marrying Henry III of Castile (son of John I of Castile) to Catherine of Lancaster, John of Gaunt’s daughter.
- Ending English claims to Castile, as John of Gaunt formally renounced his rights in exchange for a large financial settlement.
- Uniting the Trastámara and Lancastrian dynasties, strengthening Castilian political stability.
The Creation of the Title "Prince of Asturias"
- As part of the agreement, the young couple was granted a new title, Prince and Princess of Asturias, modeled after the Prince of Wales in England.
- The title was to be held exclusively by the heir to the Castilian throne, ensuring a clear line of succession.
- The first holders of the title were Henry of Castile and Catherine of Lancaster, symbolizing the unification of the two rival dynastic factions.
- The title included ownership of the Principality of Asturias, where the Prince acted as ruler in the king’s name, with the power to appoint judges, mayors, and other officials.
Legacy of the Title "Prince of Asturias"
- The title became the official designation for the heir to the Castilian (and later Spanish) throne, much like the Prince of Wales in England.
- It remains in use today, with the current Princess of Asturias, Leonor, being the heir to King Felipe VI of Spain.
- The Accord of Bayonne (1388) not only ended the English-Castilian succession dispute but also reinforced the continuity of the Trastámara dynasty, setting the stage for Castile’s rise as a dominant power in Iberia.
Thus, the marriage of Henry III and Catherine of Lancaster helped bring peace to Castile, while the creation of the title "Prince of Asturias" established a clear succession tradition that endures to this day.