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Henry IV of Castile

«the Impotent»

Disputes over his daughter Joanna’s legitimacy and rights divided the Castilian nobility. His death opened the succession war between Joanna and Isabella.

1425 – 1474King of Castile and LeónTrastámara · ES
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This complete profile is available in English. Bibliographic titles retain their original language. Links marked ES open the Spanish edition.

Historical profile

Key details

Birth: 5 January 1425 Documented

Death: 14 December 1474 Documented

Role: King of Castile and León

Other recorded names: Henry the Impotent

Dynasty: Trastámara · ES

Territories: Castile (ES) · León (ES)

Recorded governments and reigns
King · Castile · Reign Documented1454–1474Effective rule
King · León · Reign Documented1454–1474Effective rule
Family network

Recorded relationships

Parents
Partners
Crowns and unions

Their titles over time

Follow the changing territories and offices of Henry IV of Castile. Each title retains its own status.

Governments in 1454

  • Crown of Castile2 titles and offices
    View titles and jurisdictions

    Crown of Castile from 1230; the map retains the names Castile and León. Source for this grouping

Annual dates: overlap within one year does not prove that two offices were held on the same day. Regencies and co-rulerships retain their labels.

Documentation

Sources for this profile

Biographical and contextual references in their original language. Sources and methodology.

Evidence for this profile

7 recorded claims · 1 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.

Dates (2/2 with a precise source)
Family and relationships (2/3 with a precise source)
Governments (2/2 with a precise source)
Biographical and contextual references (3)
Editorial history
  • 2026-10-12 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-10-08 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-10-03 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-09-30 · The duchy is limited to Dijon and Autun; each other fief now enters the map only under its dated ruler. John III of Namur and the Nevers/Rethel branch were added. The previous shape combined later counties and unrelated lands as if all belonged to the duchy from 1363.
  • 2026-09-28 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-09-30 · Dates and parentage in the Isabella I–Joanna I–Charles V corridor were reviewed with passage-level references. Other claims remain pending.

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