Basically, when Pedro became king, he had her killers’ hearts publicly ripped out.
Inês de Castro, a Galician noblewoman, became a central figure in one of Portugal's most tragic love stories. She arrived at the Portuguese court in 1340 as a lady-in-waiting to Constance of Castile, the wife of Prince Pedro, heir to the throne. Despite being married, Pedro fell deeply in love with Inês, and their relationship caused significant political tension. Inês's family ties to Castilian nobility raised concerns about foreign influence over Portugal, and her growing closeness to Pedro alarmed the court. After Constance's death in 1349, Pedro openly lived with Inês, and they had several children together. However, King Afonso IV, Pedro's father, viewed their union as a threat to the kingdom's stability and ordered Inês's execution in 1355. She was brutally killed in Coimbra, an act that devastated Pedro.
When Pedro ascended the throne in 1357, his grief turned to vengeance. He pursued and captured two of Inês's assassins, ordering their hearts to be ripped out as punishment. In a dramatic and symbolic gesture, Pedro declared that he had secretly married Inês, making her his lawful wife and queen posthumously. According to legend, he even exhumed her body and had her crowned, compelling the court to pay homage to her remains. This tale of love, betrayal, and retribution has left an indelible mark on Portuguese history and culture, inspiring countless works of art, literature, and folklore. It remains a poignant reminder of the lengths to which love and grief can drive a person.
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