History, Art, Humanity and Literature

fuckyeahhistorycrushes:

D. Pedro & Inês de Castro. They carried on a not-so-secret love affair ever since they met (when she arrived as lady-in-wait of Pedro’s wife) until Inês’ murder, at the orders of Pedro’s father, the King.

“Pedro became King of Portugal in 1357. He then stated that he had secretly married Inês, who was consequently the lawful queen, although his word was, and still is, the only proof of the marriage. Legend has it that he had Inês’s body exhumed from her grave and forced the entire court to swear allegiance to their new queen by kissing the corpse’s hand. She was later buried at the Monastery of Alcobaça where her coffin can still be seen, opposite Pedro’s so that, according to the legend, at the Last Judgment Pedro and Inês can look at each other as they rise from their graves. Both marble coffins are exquisitely sculpted with scenes from their lives and a promise by Pedro that they would be together até ao fim do mundo (until the end of the world).”

The saddest love story ever. More here.