Alfonso, Prince of Asturias (17 November 1453 – 5 July 1468), called Alfonso the Innocent, was the figurehead of rebelling Castilian magnates against his half-brother Henry IV, who had recognized him as heir presumptive.
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Childhood
Alfonso was the only surviving son of John II by his second wife, Isabella of Portugal. Alfonso's older sister, the future Isabella I of Castile, was also the product of this second marriage.
After the death of his father, John II, Alfonso, his mother and sister were virtually exiled, his mother to Arevalo and the children to Segovia. When Alfonso was around seven years of age the two children were moved to Henry's court at Madrid and were placed in Queen Joan's household. During this period it is rumored that Queen Joan tried to poison Alfonso on at least one occasion, to secure the succession for her only daughter.
Heir to the Throne
In early 1460s, Castilian nobles became dissatisfied with the rule of King Henry IV and believed that Queen Joan's child (Joanna, Princess of Asturias) had not been sired by Henry. Propaganda and rumour, encouraged by the league of rebellious nobles, argued that her father was Beltrán de la Cueva, a royal favorite of low background whom Henry had elevated to enormous power and who, as suggested by Alfonso de Palencia and others, may have been Joan's lover. This resulted in the name "Juana la Beltraneja", which has stuck with the girl throughout history. If Joanna was illegitimate, the next in line was Alfonso. If she was legitimate, then Alfonso and, ultimately, his famous sister Isabella were both usurpers. Considering Isabella's impact on world history, this question has fascinated historians for centuries.