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Henry II or Henry of TrastAmara[trastumar´u] Pronunciation Key, 1333?1379, Spanish king of Castile and LeOn (136979), illegitimate son of Alfonso XI. After taking part in several unsuccessful revolts against his half brother, Peter the Cruel, he secured the aid of Du Guesclin and Peter IV of AragOn and drove Peter from the throne in 1366. Peter allied himself with England and, with the help of Edward the Black Prince defeated Henry at NAjera (1367), but after Edward's departure, Henry defeated and killed Peter at Montiel (1369). John of Gaunt, son-in-law of Peter the Cruel, and Ferdinand I of Portugal unsuccessfully contested his title as king and the succession of his son, John I.
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