Queen Abducted, King Checkmated The Kidnapping of Mencía López de Haro in the Context of the Civil War of 1245-1247 in Portugal

In the context of the civil war between king Sancho II (r. 1223-1248) and his brother Alphonse, count of Boulogne, in 1245-1247, Queen Mencia López de Haro was kidnapped in suspicious circumstances by supporters of the latter. The abduction brought to Sancho an irremediable blow, depriving him of the possibility of having heirs. By letting herself be "taken away", Mencia was able to keep the property of her dowry and to remain a rich and powerful lady until her death.