Inês: Queens of Portugal Trilogy
History tells us that Inês de Castro (1325-1355) was probably a lady-in-waiting to Constance of Castile, who married Prince Pedro of Portugal (later Pedro I). Pedro had a passionate affair with Inês, despite the efforts of his father, King Afonso, and his advisors, Gonçalves and Pacheco. After Queen Constance died of postpartum complications, King Pedro lived openly with Inês. He legitimized their children so they could inherit the throne. Inês was illegitimate herself so wasn’t seen as suitable queen material. King Afonso and the advisors tried banishing her, and when that did not work, Afonso sent the advisors to behead her, which they did in front of her young children. Pedro, bereft, killed two of the plotters by ripping their hearts out. Legend says he crowned Inês’ corpse and forced the rest of his court to pay homage to her as his queen.
This history, often dramatized in music and art, is the basis for the novel. It’s clear Mathis has done thorough research. But it’s hard to know who the novel wants us to identify with; we never really settle into any of the important characters’ perspectives. Gonçalves is the one character who is present throughout, at least until Pedro rips his heart out, but we don’t really get to feel the unrequited passion that might have led him to kill Inês; rather, he’s depicted as someone who did it out of wounded pride.
The narrative keeps us at arms’ length, robbing us of the opportunity to experience Pedro and Inês’ forbidden passion and their struggle to legitimize their love. We are left with the image of Pedro and Inês’ side-by-side tombs inscribed with “until the end of the world,” when they will be reunited.
