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Barbara of Portugal, Queen of Spain

Lisbon, 4 Dec 1711 – Aranjuez, 27 Aug 1758

9 facts3 sources

Facts and their sources

  • Born4 Dec 1711, Lisbonnot verified1 source
  • TitleConsort of Spain, 1746–1758not verified1 source
  • Died27 Aug 1758, Aranjueznot verified1 source
  • MotherMaria Anna of Austrianot verified1 source
  • FatherJohn V of Portugalnot verified1 source

A life in time

  1. 4 Dec 1711

    Born in Lisbon

  2. 1746–1758

    Consort of Spain

  3. 27 Aug 1758

    Dies in Aranjuez, aged 46

Family

See the tree

Parents

Partner

During her lifetime

She lived through 5 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Lisbon.

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

The 1710s · Barbara is born in Lisbon

Who governed

In the news1700–1714

War of the Spanish Succession begins

The War of the Spanish Succession broke out in 1700, bringing years of heavy taxation, conscription, and famine that crippled local economies like Ubeda.

Music

Villancicos in church and festivals

Villancicos, which often depicted characters like sailors, soldiers, slaves, and gypsies, were sung during major church feasts such as Christmas and Epiphany. They incorporated theatrical elements with costumes, gestures, and simulated dances representing peasants and various cultural groups.

War of the Spanish Succession. Europe’s powers fought for thirteen years over who would inherit the Spanish throne; a Bourbon kept it, and Britain gained Gibraltar.In Europe · 1701–1714

War of the Spanish Succession. Europe’s powers fought for thirteen years over who would inherit the Spanish throne; a Bourbon kept it, and Britain gained Gibraltar.

DavidDijkgraaf · CC0

Daily life

Scarcity of water access

Water was scarce and difficult to access, often sourced from public fountains or bought from water carriers. Households also collected rainwater in cisterns, but supply depended heavily on weather and maintenance rather than a reliable piped network.

In the news1716

Nueva Planta decrees centralize administration

In 1716, Philip V issued the Nueva Planta decrees, which abolished regional laws and parliaments in Catalonia, Aragon, and Valencia to create a centralized, unitary state.

What people wore

Maintaining appearances with limited clothing

Social strivers would meticulously maintain their limited clothing, washing and soaping collars and cuffs, and using animal fat to keep shoes looking shiny even when the soles were worn through. They also applied powders to their hats to mask age and wear, aiming to project an appearance of higher status.

Getting around

Daily travel distances were limited

A standard daily distance for a hurried group with horses was about 40 kilometers, though speeds were much lower if using oxen.