Henry II of Castile

Henry II of Castile (1334–1379), called the Fratricidal, was an illegitimate son of Alfonso XI and Leonor de Guzmán. His father made him Count of Trastámara, and favour shown to Leonor's sons angered María of Portugal and Peter. When Alfonso died in 1350, Henry and his brothers rebelled against Peter the Cruel.

Leonor was executed in 1351 and Henry fled to Portugal, later entering French service and fighting for Aragon against Castile. With Aragonese and French support he was proclaimed king at Burgos in 1366, and the titles he handed allies earned him the nickname ‘of the favours’.

Defeated at Nájera by the Black Prince in 1367, he returned with Bertrand du Guesclin's companies, won Montiel in 1369 and killed Peter himself, founding the Trastámara dynasty. He fought Portugal in the Fernandine Wars and backed France against England, and died in 1379, succeeded by his son John I.