The death of King Fernando I of Portugal marked a significant turning point in the country's history, as he left behind no male heirs, making his only daughter, Beatrice of Portugal, the primary claimant to the throne. This lack of a direct male lineage led to a power vacuum that various noble factions sought to exploit. The political landscape became highly volatile, with rival claimants emerging to challenge Beatrice's legitimacy. Many nobles saw this as an opportunity to assert their own claims or to elevate their standing within the realm. The resulting disputes were not just about the throne but also reflected deeper issues of loyalty, territory, and influence among the Portuguese nobility. The conflict soon spiraled into a series of civil wars, with opposing factions rallying around different claimants for power. Landowners and their vassals were forced to take sides, leading to a fragmented society where allegiance to the crown was questioned, and the stability of the realm was at risk. Cities and regions experienced turmoil as battles broke out, and skirmishes became the order of the day in a kingdom struggling to maintain order amid civil unrest.