The Infante Fernando (pronounced[fɨɾˈnɐ̃du]; English: Ferdinand) - (September 291402-June 51443), 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 KingJohn 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. 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 kingdom of Fez. 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. 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.
