Fernando, Infante Santo de Portugal

Grand Master of the Order of Aviz. Died in captivity in Fes, Morocco.

The Infante Fernando (pronounced [f%C9%A8%C9%BE%CB%88n%C9%90%CC%83du]; English: Ferdinand) - (September 29, 1402-June 5, 1443), commonly known as the Saint Prince (Portuguese: Infante Santo; more correctly translated to the Holy Infante) was an Infante of Portugal of the House of Aviz. Fernando was the sixth son of King John I of Portugal and his wife Philippa of Lancaster.

Fernando soon became interested in religious questions and, still young, he was ordered Grand Master of the Order of Aviz by his father. He was offered the office of Cardinal by Pope Eugene IV.[1]

In 1437 he participated in a military expedition in North Africa, along with his older brothers. The campaign would prove disastrous and Fernando was made a prisoner by the Marinid dynasty. As a ransom, the Sultan demanded the devolution of Ceuta, conquered by the Portuguese in 1415. Fernando decided he did not want to be released in exchange for the precious city, and wished to remain in captivity. Portuguese officials also declined his release, forcing his brother Henry the Navigator to leave him in the hands of the Fez. He died in Fes in 1443.

His remains were transferred to the Monastery of Batalha in 1471, where they lie in the Founder's Chapel. His sacrifice in the name of national interests gave him his nickname the Saint Prince (Portuguese: o Infante Santo).

He was beatified in 1470, and the Bollandists have included his life in their great publication.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdinand_the_Saint_Prince

The Infante Ferdinand (Portuguese pronunciation: [f%C9%A8%C9%BE%CB%88n%C9%90%CC%83du]; English: Ferdinand; September 29, 1402-June 5, 1443), commonly known as the Saint Prince (Portuguese: Infante Santo; more correctly translated as the Holy Prince,) was an infante (prince) of Portugal of the House of Aviz. Fernando was the sixth son of King John I of Portugal and his wife Philippa of Lancaster.

Ferdinand soon became interested in religious questions and, still young, he was ordered Grand Master of the Order of Aviz by his father. He was offered the office of Cardinal by Pope Eugene IV.[1]

In 1437 he participated in a military expedition in North Africa, along with his older brothers. The campaign would prove disastrous and Ferdinand was made a prisoner by the Marinid dynasty. As a ransom, the Sultan demanded the devolution of Ceuta, conquered by the Portuguese in 1415. Ferdinand decided he did not want to be released in exchange for the precious city, and wished to remain in captivity. Portuguese officials also declined his release, forcing his brother Henry the Navigator to leave him in the hands of the Fez. He died in Fes in 1443.

His remains were transferred to the Monastery of Batalha in 1471, where they lie in the Founder's Chapel. His sacrifice in the name of national interests gave him his nickname the Saint Prince (Portuguese: o Infante Santo).

He was beatified in 1470, and the Bollandists have included his life in their great publication.