Liga Nobiliaria

It is common for the term to apply specifically to the group of nobles formed in the mid-15th century who participated in the Farce of Ávila, in this city on June 5, 1465.

[1] They had previously formed a "league for the 'Good of the Kingdom' and 'recognition of Prince Alfonso'" in 1460, which John II of Aragon and Navarre joined on April 1, 1460.

[2] The group played a pivotal role in the political-military conflicts that marked the second half of the 15th century in Castile and in the War of the Castilian Succession, during which the league supported Joanna la Beltraneja and her husband Afonso V of Portugal against the Catholic Monarchs.

[7] The reign of John II's successor, Henry IV was marked by successive conflicts between the king and the most powerful nobles, who tried to control the appointment of the royal heir/heiress and diminish the influence of Beltrán de La Cueva, the king's constable and favourite, and, according to rumours, the lover of Queen Joan.

In early May 1475, Afonso V entered Castile with his army and was received in Plasencia by Zúñiga and other members of the league who support the claims of the Portuguese king.