edro I (1334-69), king of Castile and Léon,
commonly surnamed "the Cruel," the only legitimate son
of Alfonso XI, was born in Burgos, and succeeded to the throne in
1350. In 1353, at the instigation of his mistress, afterwards his
queen, Maria de Padilla, he took the reins of government into his
own hands. From that time until his death his reign was one long
struggle to overthrow the power of the great vassals and to
establish a strong government. [The Home University Encyclopedia,
1946]
Peter the Cruel (Spanish Pedro el cruel) (1334-69), king of Castile and León (1350-69), the son of King Alfonso XI, born in Burgos. Peter owes his sobriquet "the Cruel" to his ready use of murder and execution to eliminate his political opponents, including, reportedly, several of his ambitious half brothers. His principal conflict was with his older half brother, Henry of Trastamara, who also claimed the throne. Henry enlisted the aid of King Charles V of France, who in 1365 sent troops through Spain under the command of Bertrand Du Guesclin. Overthrown, Peter left the country and requested aid from Edward III of England, at that time engaged in fighting the Hundred Years' War with France; Edward sent an army commanded by his son Edward, Prince of Wales, known as the Black Prince. The forces of Peter and Edward defeated those of Henry, the French, and other allies at the Battle of Nájera in 1367, and Henry fled to France. Political differences between Peter and Edward resulted in the latter's withdrawal from Spain with his army. Henry then hastened back and with Du Guesclin's help engaged Peter and his supporters in a civil war. Peter was defeated and killed at Campo de Montiel in 1369; Henry assumed the throne as King Henry II. [Microsoft Encarta 98 Encyclopedia]
