James of Portugal
Jaime or James of Portugal (17 September 1433 – 27 August 1459), also known as James of Coimbra, James of Lusitania, was a Portuguese infante (prince) of the House of Aviz, and a bishop and cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church.
| James of Coimbra | |
|---|---|
| bishop of Arras and of Paphos | |
Coat of Arms of James of Portugal, combining his father coat of arms (Aviz-Coimbra) with his mother's (Aragon). | |
| archbishop of Lisbon | |
| Born | 17 September 1433 |
| Died | 27 August 1459 |
| House | Aviz |
| Father | Peter, Duke of Coimbra |
| Mother | Isabella of Urgell |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
James was the 3rd son of Infante Pedro, Duke of Coimbra, and Isabella of Urgell; among other kinships he was the great-grandson of the English prince John of Gaunt. At the age of just 14, he took part in the battle of Alfarrobeira (1449) where his father's army was defeated by the Portuguese royal army, and his father killed.
James was taken captive after the battle, but he escaped and, together with his brother John and his sister Beatrice, took refuge in Burgundy, under the protection of his aunt, Isabella of Portugal (the consort of Duke Philip III the Good). He spent most of his remaining decade of life in Italy.