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Leonor de Castro Mello y Meneses

Gandia, 1512 – Monastery of Sant Jeroni de Cotalba, 6 Apr 1546

8 facts3 sources

Facts and their sources

  • Born1512, Gandianot verified1 source
  • MarriedFrancis Borgia, 4th Duke of Gandíanot verified1 source
  • TitleChief Lady of the Bedchamber, 1526–1546not verified1 source
  • Died6 Apr 1546, Monastery of Sant Jeroni de Cotalbanot verified1 source

A life in time

  1. 1512

    Born in Gandia

  2. 1526–1546

    Chief Lady of the Bedchamber

  3. 1532

    A daughter is born

  4. 6 Apr 1546

    Dies in Monastery of Sant Jeroni de Cotalba

Family

See the tree

Partner

Children · 1

During her lifetime

She lived through 4 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Gandia.

General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.

The 1510s · Leonor is born in Gandia

In the news1516

Forced conversion or expulsion of Muslims

Following the Spanish decree of 1502, the Muslim community in Navarre was forced to leave or convert by a decree issued on May 1, 1516, leading to the abandonment of Morería neighborhoods.

Getting around

Traveling primarily on foot

Ordinary people primarily traveled on foot, covering a maximum distance of 40 to 50 kilometers in a single day.

In the news1512

Castilian invasion of Navarre begins

Castilian troops led by the Duke of Alba invaded Pamplona on July 25, 1512, beginning the conquest and incorporation of Navarre into the Crown of Castile.

Daily life

Household as the center of life

The household served as the primary center for education, work, and life, with tasks like laundry and water fetching falling to women and domestic servants.

What people wore

The Colorful Woolen Tunic Called Saya

Ordinary people wore a tunic called a saya, which was often made of wool and dyed in various colors like red, purple, ocher, blue, green, white, or black. It was typically worn by peasants and artisans, sometimes featuring an open neck known as an amigaut.

Music

Entertainment at new mass celebrations

New mass celebrations often lasted two days, featuring hired minstrels for entertainment; attendees often gave money to the hosts, believing it helped secure indulgences.

At the table

Wine as a daily essential drink

Wine was the essential daily drink, considered vital for health and often mixed with water because pure water was frequently unsafe to consume. It was consumed by all social classes, and many people carried their own measuring tools to ensure the wine was diluted correctly.