The Tree of Europe · Person

John II of Castile

His long reign was marked by Álvaro de Luna’s influence and disputes with the great nobility. He was the father of Henry IV and Isabella the Catholic.

1405 – 1454King 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: 6 March 1405 Documented

Death: 21 July 1454 Documented

Role: King of Castile and León

Dynasty: Trastámara · ES

Territories: Castile (ES) · León (ES)

Recorded governments and reigns

King · Castile · Reign Documented1406–1454Effective rule

King · León · Reign Documented1406–1454Effective rule

Family network

Recorded relationships

Parents

Henry III of CastileDocumentedCatherine of Lancaster · ESDocumented

Partners

Maria of Aragon · ESDocumentedIsabella of Portugal · ESDocumented

Children

Isabella I of CastileHenry IV of Castile

Crowns and unions

Their titles over time

Follow the changing territories and offices of John II of Castile. Each title retains its own status.

Period

Governments in 1406

Crown of Castile2 titles and offices
View titles and jurisdictions
- Castile · ESKing · Effective rule1406–1454
- León · ESKing · Effective rule1406–1454
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

8 recorded claims · 0 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.

Dates (2/2 with a precise source)

BirthDocumented
6 March 1405
Real Academia de la Historia · Juan II de Castilla · Biographical heading
Reviewed on 2026-09-30 by El Árbol de Europa ·
DeathDocumented
21 July 1454
Real Academia de la Historia · Juan II de Castilla · Biographical heading
Reviewed on 2026-09-30 by El Árbol de Europa ·

Family and relationships (4/4 with a precise source)

FatherDocumented
Henry III of Castile
Paternal relationship confirmed by the source.
Real Academia de la Historia · Historia Hispánica · Juan II de Castilla · Toro, 6 March 1405 – Valladolid, 21 July 1454; son of Henry III and Catherine of Lancaster; regency during his minority; married to Maria of Aragon (Ávila, 1420) and to Isabella of Portugal (birth presumed 1428 – 1496).
Reviewed on 2026-10-19 by El Árbol de Europa ·
MotherDocumented
Catherine of Lancaster
Maternal relationship confirmed by the source.
Real Academia de la Historia · Historia Hispánica · Juan II de Castilla · Toro, 6 March 1405 – Valladolid, 21 July 1454; son of Henry III and Catherine of Lancaster; regency during his minority; married to Maria of Aragon (Ávila, 1420) and to Isabella of Portugal (birth presumed 1428 – 1496).
Reviewed on 2026-10-19 by El Árbol de Europa ·
Marriage or partnershipDocumented
Maria of Aragon
Marriage confirmed by the source.
Real Academia de la Historia · Historia Hispánica · Juan II de Castilla · Toro, 6 March 1405 – Valladolid, 21 July 1454; son of Henry III and Catherine of Lancaster; regency during his minority; married to Maria of Aragon (Ávila, 1420) and to Isabella of Portugal (birth presumed 1428 – 1496).
Reviewed on 2026-10-19 by El Árbol de Europa ·
Marriage or partnershipDocumented
Isabella of Portugal
The authority record identifies Isabella of Portugal (GND 1307575374) as spouse.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Juan II., Castilla, Rey · Relationships: spouse → GND 1307575374
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·

Governments (2/2 with a precise source)

GovernmentDocumented
King · Castile · 1406–1454
The biography places the beginning of his reign at Henry III’s death in 1406; the heading dates John II’s death to 1454.
Real Academia de la Historia · Juan II de Castilla · Biography, paragraph 2 Real Academia de la Historia · Juan II de Castilla · Biographical heading
Reviewed on 2026-09-30 by El Árbol de Europa ·
GovernmentDocumented
King · León · 1406–1454
King of León, 1406–1454, checked against the source.
Real Academia de la Historia · Historia Hispánica · Juan II de Castilla · Toro, 6 March 1405 – Valladolid, 21 July 1454; son of Henry III and Catherine of Lancaster; regency during his minority; married to Maria of Aragon (Ávila, 1420) and to Isabella of Portugal (birth presumed 1428 – 1496).
Reviewed on 2026-10-19 by El Árbol de Europa ·

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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