Maciot I de Bethencourt, II Señor de Islas Canarias

BÉTTENCOURT, Matthieu [Maciot, Maciet] I de
Su nombre fue castellanizado como mosén Masiote.
Sobrino de Jean de Béttencourt, del cual, en sus ausencias, detentaba el gobierno del Señorío insular. Cfr. Matritense, caps. 1 y 2.
Sobrino de Jean de Béttencourt, del cual, en sus ausencias, tenía el gobierno del Señorío insular. Vendió este Señorío al infante don Henrique, según unas fuentes, y a *Pedro Barba de Campos, según otras. Cfr. Frutuoso, op. cit., libro l.
Recibió en herencia de su pariente Jean la conquista y el Señorío de las Islas. Él lo vendió al sevillano Pedro Barba de Campos. Cfr. Espinosa, op. cit., libro III, cap. 2.
Castellanizado como Masiote o Masión de Betancor. Le da el tratamiento de primo y sobrino de Jean. Vino a la conquista y repoblación de las Islas, tomando asiento en Lanzarote. Quedó con el gobierno de las Islas a la marcha de *Jean de Béttencourt y fue su heredero a su muerte. Se concierta con Pedro Barba, comisionado del Rey, del conde de Niebla y de Guillén de las Casas, quedando el señorío de las Islas en el conde de Niebla (año 1418). Defraudó el trato, sin embargo, ya que hizo lo mismo con el infante don Henrique y pasó a vivir a Madeira. Cfr. Abreu, op. cit., libro l, caps. 8, 19, 20, 21, 22 y 25; y libro III, cap. 6.
El hacer tradicional se inventó a la princesa lanzaroteña Teguise a partir de un error del Abreu. Éste, al hablar de la familia que formaron Maciot II y Tenaguana, lo hizo con una redacción confusa. De ello, queda la duda de si llama Luisa de Betancor a la hija del rey de Lanzarote o a la mujer de Juan de Arriete.
La investigación documental parece indicar otro camino. Luisa de Betancor fue grancanaria, sobrina de los guadartemes de Telde y Gáldar, c. con Maciot II; en Teguise , mientras que la mujer de Arriete Perdomo pudo llamarse Margarita o Inés de Betancor y ser entenada [hijastra] de Maciot I.
Sucedió a su tío Juan de Letancur en el Señorío y conquista de las Islas. Las vendió al sevillano Pedro Barba. Viana, Poema ..., Canto II.
Pariente lejano de Jean, hijo de Jean d'Argies, señor de Béttencourt y de Marie de Braquemont. Cfr. Bergeron, Le Canarien, París, 1630.
Debió venir a las Islas, en la década de 1410, con *Jean de Béttencourt. El parentesco que se le da documentalmente es el de primo. Tal vez, por la línea de los Braquemont, pudo llamársele sobrino (derivado de ser hijo de primo hermano o primo).
Junto con otros parientes recibió poderes de Jean para gobernar y explotar las Islas. Terminó por quedar él como apoderado y gobernador único. En 1418 vendió el derecho señorial al conde de Niebla y él permaneció con la tenientía insular. En 1430, favorecido por la transaccción entre el conde de Niebla y los Casaus , mantuvo la gobernación y señorío condicionado de la isla de Lanzarote, que perdió al pactar con el infante don Henrique de Viseu. Se asentó en Madeira, donde había recibido una generosa donación del Infante. Quedó desvinculado totalmente de las Islas en 1454.
Casó con una Marie, con la que tuvo a su única hija, llamada María de Betancor c., en Madeira, con Ruy Gonzales Zarco, y que no tuvo sucesión. Viudo , hemos supuesto que se casó en Lanzarote con Margarite, viuda a su vez de *Henri de Béttencourt, matrimonio que lo convirtió en padrastro de Margarita , la mujer de Arriete II Perdomo (CEBRIÁN, José A.: Ensayo para un diccionario de conquistadores de Canarias. Islas Canarias: Viceconsejería de Cultura y Deportes del Gobierno de Canarias 2003. pp. 123-124).

OLA

---

Maciot de Béthencourt born (illegitimate) about 1390 at France, died 1454 at Madeira, Portugal

Lord of the Canary Islands, Barón de Saint Martín le Gaillard, knight of the Order of Rhodes, knight of the Order of Malta

There are different views on how he is related to the Bettencourts of France. There is a theory that Maciot was not the son of Regnault but of Regnault's sister of unknown name. Another theory states that he is the son of Jean (III)'s sister of unknown name. Current opinion though do favor Regnault as his parent.

As to Maciot's wife and children, there are even more problems. Maciot married Lerianda de Gardaleme at France. However, Lerianda de Gardaleme is possibly confused with the wife of Maciot's grandson, Maciot (II). Her name is very similar - Leissa Guanartème, her name after converting to Catholicism.

The Ascendência e Descendência do Conselheiro Nicolau Anastácio de Bettencourt gives Marguérite de Béthencourt's father as Jean IV instead of Maciot. It also states that Jean IV married a second time, in 1415, to Lerize Guardateme, Princess of the Royal House of the Canarias and Lady of the Island of Lanzarote, Marguérite's mother. In a note, however, it states that various authors give Marguérite's father as Maciot.

On 9 May 1405 Maciot traveled to the Canary Islands with his Uncle Jean. He was ruler of the Canary Islands after his uncle left the islands between Dec 1405 and 1447. Maciot attempted, with the assistance of some Castilians, to subdue the island of Gomeira, Islas Canarias, but without success. In 1414 the exactions and tyranny of Maciot de Bethencourt had caused Queen Catherine of Castile to send out three war caravels under the command of Pedro Barba de Campos, Lord of Castro Forte, to control him. Maciot, although only regent, since Jean de Bethencourt was still alive, ceded the islands to Barba and then sailed to Madeira, where he sold to Prince Henry of Portugal, surnamed the Navigator, these very islands which he had just ceded to another, together with those which still remained to be conquered. (According to Os Bettencourt, this sale by Maciot to Campos is pure legend) Maciot subsequently granted them again to the Spanish Count de Niebla on 15 Nov 1419 (1418 according to Os Bettencourt). Pedro Barba de Campos sold them to Fernando Perez of Seville, and the latter again to the aforesaid Count de Niebla, who disposed of them to Guillem de Las Casas, and the latter to his son-in-law Fernan Peraza. Meanwhile, the legitimate proprietor, Jean de Bethencourt, left them by will to his brother Reynaud. It was not until 1479, with the treaty signed at Alcaçova between Affonso V of Portugal and Ferdinand and Isabella of Castile, that the disputes of the two nations on this point were settled - the Canaries belonged to the Castilians.

In 1415 in Lanzarote, Maciot had a relationship with Teguise, a native woman and daughter of King Guardafia. With regard to Maciot's relationship with Teguise, it seems that they were never married. They had at least two children, Rodrigo and Inês Margarida. Portuguese genealogists affirm that Maria, another of Maciot's daughters, was also a daughter of Teguise; in fact, Canarian genealogists refer to this Maria as Leonor or Luisa.

He built the church of Nossa Senhora de Bethencourt; acting as representative of Jean de Bethencourt, granted the lordship of the Canary Islands to D. Henrique de Guzmán, Conde de Niebla on 15 Nov 1418 at Seville. In 1447 Maciot was taken prisoner on Lanzarote and imprisoned on the island of Ferro. He later fled with his wife to Portugal. He sold Lanzarote to Prince Henry the Navigator for the soap trade and other income from Madeira on 9 May 1448. He moved with his two daughters and two of his brother's sons to Madeira (Os Bettencourt states that he went with his wife, his eldest daughter who was the widow of Henri (II), and her two sons who were also his brother's two sons since his daughter was married to his brother (niece-uncle). It was the descendants of Henri (II) who altered the "th" of Bethencourt to the "tt" of Bettencourt). He resided at Ribeira Brava. He died between 1454 and 1458 at Madeira.

---

Nacido en Francia, marchó como lugarteniente de su tío a las islas Canarias, y allí, según Rodrigo Rodrigues, casó con Teguine (o Lérida) Guarda Teme (¿Guanarteme?), probablemente -en mi opinión y por el apellido- una princesa guanche. Trasladado Maciot a Madeira hacia 1450, llevó consigo a la isla portuguesa, entre otros, a dos de sus hijas y allí habrían de venir al mundo sus nietos. Al parecer, su esposa canaria había fallecido en Lanzarote.

María del Carmen Vaquero, "Doña Beatriz de Sá, la Elisa posible de Garcilaso". Revista Lemir, nº 7, 2003

---

Maciot de8 BETHENCOURT (Regnault7, Jean6, Jean5, Jean4, Regnault3, Philippe2, Jean1)672,673,674,675,676,677,678,679,680,681 was born illegitimate circa 1390 in France.682,683,684 He married Lerianda de Gardaleme in France.685,686,687 He died between 1454 and 1458 in Madeira.688

He was also known as Mossem Menante de Betancor.689 He was also known as Maciot de Bethancourt.690 He was also known as Maciot de Bettencourt.691,692 He was also known as Micer Maciote Betancur.693 He was also known as Massiote de Bethencourt.694 He was also known as Masiote de Bethencourt.695 He was also known as Mathieu de Bethencourt.696,697 He was also known as Menciot de Bettencourt.698 He was also known as Mossem Maciot de Betancor.699 He was also known as Meciot de Bettencourt.700 He was also known as Meciote de Bettencourt.701 Maciot is a problem in many ways. There are different views on how he is related to the Bettencourts of France. There is a theory that Maciot was not the son of Regnault but of Regnault's sister of unknown name. Another theory states that he is the son of Jean (III)'s sister of unknown name. Current opinion favors Regnault as his parent.

As to Maciot's wife and children, there are even more problems. Lerianda de Gardaleme is possibly confused with the wife of Maciot's grandson, Maciot (II). Her name is very similar - Leissa Guanartème, her name after converting to Catholicism.702 He was a knight of the Order of Rhodes.703 He was a knight of the Order of Malta.704,705,706 On 9 May 1405 Maciot traveled to the Canary Islands with his Uncle Jean.707,708,709 He was ruler of the Canary Islands after his uncle left the islands between Dec 1405 and 1447.710,711,712,713,714,715,716,717 Maciot attempted, with the assistance of some Castilians, to subdue the island of Gomeira, Islas Canarias, but without success.718 In 1414 the exactions and tyranny of Maciot de Bethencourt had caused Queen Catherine of Castile to send out three war caravels under the command of Pedro Barba de Campos, Lord of Castro Forte, to control him. Maciot, although only regent, since Jean de Bethencourt was still alive, ceded the islands to Barba and then sailed to Madeira, where he sold to Prince Henry of Portugal, surnamed the Navigator, these very islands which he had just ceded to another, together with those which still remained to be conquered. (According to Os Bettencourt, this sale by Maciot to Campos is pure legend) Maciot subsequently granted them again to the Spanish Count de Niebla on 15 Nov 1419 (1418 according to Os Bettencourt). Pedro Barba de Campos sold them to Fernando Perez of Seville, and the latter again to the aforesaid Count de Niebla, who disposed of them to Guillem de Las Casas, and the latter to his son-in-law Fernan Peraza. Meanwhile, the legitimate proprietor, Jean de Bethencourt, left them by will to his brother Reynaud. It was not until 1479, with the treaty signed at Alcaçova between Affonso V of Portugal and Ferdinand and Isabella of Castile, that the disputes of the two nations on this point were settled - the Canaries belonged to the Castilians.719,720 In 1415 in Lanzarote, Maciot had a relationship with Teguise, a native woman and daughter of King Guardafia.721,722,723 With regard to Maciot's relationship with Teguise, it seems that they were never married. They had at least two children, Rodrigo and Inês Margarida. Portuguese genealogists affirm that María, another of Maciot's daughters, was also a daughter of Teguise; in fact, Canarian genealogists refer to this María as Leonor or Luisa.724 He built the church of Nossa Senhora de Bethencourt; .725 He, acting as representative of Jean de Bethencourt, granted the lordship of the Canary Islands to D. Henrique de Guzmán, Conde de Niebla on 15 Nov 1418 in Seville.726,727,728 In 1447 Maciot was taken prisoner on Lanzarote and imprisoned on the island of Ferro. He later fled with his wife to Portugal.729 He sold Lanzarote to Prince Henry the Navigator for the soap trade and other income from Madeira on 9 May 1448.730,731,732,733,734,735,736,737,738 He moved with his two daughters and two of his brother's sons to Madeira (Os Bettencourt states that he went with his wife, his eldest daughter who was the widow of Henri (II), and her two sons who were also his brother's two sons since his daughter was married to his brother (niece-uncle). It was the descendants of Henri (II) who altered the "th" of Bethencourt to the "tt" of Bettencourt).739,740,741,742,743,744,745

Lerianda de GARDALEME746 was born circa 1390 in France.747 She married Henri de Bettencourt, son of Regnault de Bethencourt (IV) and Felipa de Troyes, in France (possible spouse).748 She was also known as Lerija de Guardateme.749 She was also known as Lerida de Guardateme.750 She was also known as Lerida de La Garde Tour.751 She was also known as Lerida de Guarde Teme.752 She was also known as Lerida de Guardatem.753 She was also known as Lerisa de Guadateme.754 She is possibly confused with the wife of Maciot's grandson, Maciot (II).755

Children of Maciot de8 Bethencourt and Lerianda de Gardaleme were as follows:

+ 32 i. Marguérite de9 BÉTHENCOURT, born circa 1405; married Henri de Bettencourt.
33 ii. André de BETENCOURT756,757,758,759,760 was born circa 1414.761

He was also known as André de BETTENCOURT.762 He resided in Spain.763 He attained a grant for a blazon of arms, confirmed in Portugal, in 1505, in the person of his cousin Gaspar de Betencourt by D. Manuel (Arch. dos Açores, X, #52).764 He resided in Islas Canarias.765

http://web.meganet.net/bettenco/bette0008.htm#t8

---

Maciot de Bethencourt (Regnault, Jean, Jean, Jean, Regnault, Philippe, Jean)171,55,172,43,40,173,174,153,41,175 was also known as Maciot de Béthencourt.92 He was also known as Masiote de Bethencourt.173 He was also known as Mathieu de Bethencourt.173,55 He was also known as Mossem Menante de Betancor.90 He was also known as Maciot de Bethancourt.40 He was also known as Maciot de Bettencourt.41,9 He was also known as Micer Maciote Betancur.43 He was also known as Massiote de Bethencourt.173 He was also known as Mossem Maciot de Betancor.90 He was also known as Meciot de Bettencourt.176 He was also known as Menciot de Bettencourt.177 He was also known as Meciote de Bettencourt.174 He was born illegitimate circa 1390 at France.43,178,9

Maciot is a problem in many ways. There are different views on how he is related to the Bettencourts of France. There is a theory that Maciot was not the son of Regnault but of Regnault's sister of unknown name. Another theory states that he is the son of Jean (III)'s sister of unknown name. Current opinion favors Regnault as his parent.

As to Maciot's wife and children, there are even more problems. Lerianda de Gardaleme is possibly confused with the wife of Maciot's grandson, Maciot (II). Her name is very similar - Leissa Guanartème, her name after converting to Catholicism.179 He was a knight of the Order of Rhodes.180

Maciot de Bethencourt was a knight of the Order of Malta.39,180,181

Maciot de Bethencourt married Lerianda de Gardaleme at France.41,182,55,136

The Ascendência e Descendência do Conselheiro Nicolau Anastácio de Bettencourt gives Marguérite de Béthencourt's father as Jean IV instead of Maciot. It also states that Jean IV married a second time, in 1415, to Lerize Guardateme, Princess of the Royal House of the Canarias and Lady of the Island of Lanzarote, Marguérite's mother. In a note, however, it states that various authors give Marguérite's father as Maciot.56 On 9 May 1405 Maciot traveled to the Canary Islands with his Uncle Jean.183,184,163 He was ruler of the Canary Islands after his uncle left the islands between Dec 1405 and 1447.85,43,46,185,186,57,90,187,92 Maciot attempted, with the assistance of some Castilians, to subdue the island of Gomeira, Islas Canarias, but without success.171 In 1414 the exactions and tyranny of Maciot de Bethencourt had caused Queen Catherine of Castile to send out three war caravels under the command of Pedro Barba de Campos, Lord of Castro Forte, to control him. Maciot, although only regent, since Jean de Bethencourt was still alive, ceded the islands to Barba and then sailed to Madeira, where he sold to Prince Henry of Portugal, surnamed the Navigator, these very islands which he had just ceded to another, together with those which still remained to be conquered. (According to Os Bettencourt, this sale by Maciot to Campos is pure legend) Maciot subsequently granted them again to the Spanish Count de Niebla on 15 Nov 1419 (1418 according to Os Bettencourt). Pedro Barba de Campos sold them to Fernando Perez of Seville, and the latter again to the aforesaid Count de Niebla, who disposed of them to Guillem de Las Casas, and the latter to his son-in-law Fernan Peraza. Meanwhile, the legitimate proprietor, Jean de Bethencourt, left them by will to his brother Reynaud. It was not until 1479, with the treaty signed at Alcaçova between Affonso V of Portugal and Ferdinand and Isabella of Castile, that the disputes of the two nations on this point were settled - the Canaries belonged to the Castilians.188,189

In 1415 in Lanzarote, Maciot had a relationship with Teguise, a native woman and daughter of King Guardafia.190,9,191,136 With regard to Maciot's relationship with Teguise, it seems that they were never married. They had at least two children, Rodrigo and Inês Margarida. Portuguese genealogists affirm that Maria, another of Maciot's daughters, was also a daughter of Teguise; in fact, Canarian genealogists refer to this Maria as Leonor or Luisa.

179 He built the church of Nossa Senhora de Bethencourt; Map of LanzaroteOur Lady of Bettencourt.192 He, acting as representative of Jean de Bethencourt, granted the lordship of the Canary Islands to D. Henrique de Guzmán, Conde de Niebla on 15 Nov 1418 at Seville.193,57,175 In 1447 Maciot was taken prisoner on Lanzarote and imprisoned on the island of Ferro. He later fled with his wife to Portugal.194 He sold Lanzarote to Prince Henry the Navigator for the soap trade and other income from Madeira on 9 May 1448.195,39,43,196,197,57,90,175,172 He moved with his two daughters and two of his brother's sons to Madeira (Os Bettencourt states that he went with his wife, his eldest daughter who was the widow of Henri (II), and her two sons who were also his brother's two sons since his daughter was married to his brother (niece-uncle). It was the descendants of Henri (II) who altered the "th" of Bethencourt to the "tt" of Bettencourt).198,39,43,196,199,57,200,201 He resided at Ribeira Brava.201 He died between 1454 and 1458 at Madeira.202

Lerianda de Gardaleme39,136 was also known as Lerida de La Garde Tour.203 She was also known as Lerida de Guarde Teme.55 She was also known as Lerida de Guardatem.177 She was also known as Lerija de Guardateme.177 She was also known as Lerida de Guardateme.41 She was also known as Lerida Guardatame.12 She was also known as Lerisa de Guadateme.204 She is possibly confused with the wife of Maciot's grandson, Maciot (II).203 She was born in 1390 at France.41,136 She married Henri de Bettencourt, son of Regnault de Bethencourt (IV) and Felipa de Troyes, at France (possible spouse;with no issue. Carlos Machado's Genealogies gives the marriage location as Spain).39,12,136 She died in 1425.136

Children of Maciot de Bethencourt and Lerianda de Gardaleme were as follows:

+ 33 i. Marguérite de Béthencourt was born circa 1405 of a French mother. She married Henri de Bettencourt, son of Regnault de Bethencourt (IV) and Felipa de Troyes, at Islas Canarias.
34 ii. André de Bethencourt136,57,177,136,57,177,136 was also known as André de Betencourt.57 He was also known as André de Bettencourt.177 He was born in 1420.57,136 He resided at Spain.57 He resided at Islas Canarias.205 In Mar 1502 he attained a grant for a blazon of arms, confirmed in Portugal, 01 Apr 1505, in the person of his cousin Gaspar de Betencourt by D. Manuel (Arch. dos Açores, X, #52).57,201,205

Teguise (--?--)190,9,136,190,172 was also known as Dona Maria de Teguise.206,207 She was born circa 1400 at Lanzarote, Islas Canarias.190,136 She died before 1491 at Lanzarote, Islas Canarias, where her mortal remains can be found.208,209,136

Children of Maciot de Bethencourt and Teguise (--?--) all born at Islas Canarias were as follows:

+ 35 i. Rodrigo de Bethencourt was born illegitimate after 1415.
36 ii. Dona Maria de Bethencourt210,57,136,209,43,41,211,55,181,136,190,136 was also known as Luisa de Bethencourt so called by Canarian genealogists.190 She was also known as Leonor de Bethencourt so called by Canarian genealogists.190 She was also known as Dona Maria de Betancor.212 She was also known as Dona Maria Betancur.43 She was also known as Dona Maria de Bettencourt.213,41,214,215 According to Portuguese genealogists, she was the legitimate daughter of Maciot and Teguise.190 She was born illegitimate circa 1417.190,55,136 She was perhaps legitimized.180 She moved to Madeira with her father, sister, and two cousins in 1448.39,43,196,212,181 She married Rui Gonçalves da Câmara, son of João Gonçalves Zarco and Constança Rodrigues de Sá, at Madeira.216,39,43,41,217,214,57,212,215,218 She and Rui Gonçalves da Câmara had no children.39,219,214,209

Dona Maria de Bethencourt and Gaspard de Bettencourt (I) o Francês were the first Bettencourts to reach the Açores, whose settlement, begun in 1444, was not far advanced.220 From the inheritance from her father, Maria received the annual rent of 20,000 reais which had been granted him by the Infante D. Henrique. With this income, her husband Ruy later obtained from D. Henrique the rights to the soap trade in Madeira.221 Dona Maria de Bethencourt was the founder of the entail of Água de Mel, Madeira. An entail or morgadio was a formal gathering of land, mills, a chapel, and other wealth, which, with royal approval, could be passed down to the oldest male heir (morgado) from generation to generation.222,214,181 She left a will on 9 Feb 1491 at Funchal, Madeira, in which she showed herself to be a grande dame. Concerned with the destiny of her mortal remains, she wanted her executors to build a chapel in the monastery of São Francisco in Funchal for her to be buried there. They were also to bring her mother's bones from Lanzarote and those of her nephew Henrique, as well as those of her husband when he died. The tomb was to be ornamented with the Bettencourt arms, described as a fleur de lys beside the lion of the crest.223,181,201 She wrote a codicil on 5 Nov 1493 at São Miguel in which she changed her mind and ordered that she be buried in the chancel of the monastery of São Miguel on that island.224,201 She died circa 1494.180

Rui Gonçalves da Câmara225,213,213,41,217,214,181 was also known as Ruy Gonçalves.90 He was also known as João Ruy da Camara (noted in the Livro Quarto das Saudades da Terra, Volume 1, Ponta Delgada, 1977 as being Rui Gonçalves de Camara).226 He was also known as Ruy Gonçalves da Camera.43,41 He was also known as Rui Gonçalves da Câmara.209,213,39,227,57 He was also known as Ruy Gonçalves da Câmara.228 He was also known as Rui Gonçalves d'a Camara.229 He was born circa 1425 at Madeira; he was the first child of Zarco born in Madeira, the second male child of the famous explorer.43,214 Ruy Gonçalves accompanied his brother, João Gonçalves, to Africa and there distinguished himself notably as a valiant knight in the diverse frays and skirmishes in which he took part.214 In 1437 accompamying the Infantes D. Henrique and D. Fernando in the sieges of Arzila and Tangier, he gave equal proof of his valour becoming well known for his many acts of daring and bravery.214 He had four illegitimate children.230

Ruy owned one of the largest, if not the largest, piece of property on the island, Lombada da Ponta do Sol (today called "o Esmeraldo"), stretching from the sea to the mountain ridge and from Ribeira da Caixa to Ponta do Sol. In 1473, he sold this property to João Esmeraldo for 600,000 réis in money and a perpetual rent of 150,000 réis annually.214,231 He resided in 1474 at São Miguel.214,57 He took with him to São Miguel three children, all born in Madeira, but not by his wife, including the eldest and successor of the jurisdiction, the trunk of the families of the counts of Vila Franca and of the counts and marquises of Ribeira Grande at São Miguel.214 On 10 Mar 1474 Rui Gonçalves da Câmara was the first captain-donatary of the island of São Miguel, "1.o Cap.am," (Saudades da Terra refers to him as the third captain, (first of that name) a position he purchased from João Soares de Albergaria, heir to Gonçalo Velho, under very advantageous circumstances. The captaincy was confirmed by D. João II 2 Aug 1483 at São Miguel.232,43,41,221,57,90,231 He left a will in 1497 naming as his heir his natural son, João Gonçalves da Camara.214 He died on 27 Nov 1497 at São Miguel.227 He was buried in the mother church of Vila Franca do Campo, São Miguel.214

+ 37 iii. Inês Margarida de Bethencourt was born illegitimate circa 1420. She married Jean Arriete Prud'homme at Islas Canarias.

---

Bettencourts 1200-2000 - Generation Eight. Disp. em: http://web.meganet.net/bettenco/bett0008.htm#id19339

---

Jean de Bethencourt went on to receive the title of ‘King of the Canary Islands’ but King Henry III was still considered overlord. Then on Oct.17th, 1418, Jean de Bethencourt passed on his authority to his nephew Maciot de Bethencourt who had taken over the reign after him as the Lord of the Canary Islands. Jean de Bethencourt had permitted his nephew Maciot Bethencourt to sell off the Canary Islands except for the Island of Fuerteventura, which was to remain with Jean de Bethencourt’s other heirs. Maciot de Bethencourt then demarcated the town’s borders of Costa Teguise, transforming Teguise into the first urban spot located in the Canary Islands. The domestic architecture of this town can still be identified in its beautifully well-preserved palaces and grand homes such as the ‘Spinola Palace’ and ‘The Torres’. But by 1448, Maciot de Bethencourt sold the lordship of Lanzarote Island to Prince Henry of Portugal. Portugal’s King Henry was a Prince from the Portuguese house of Aviz and was considered to be a notable figurehead in the early age of the Portuguese Empire, being responsible for the initiation of the explorations of Europe worldwide. In the English language, he is recognized as ‘Prince Henry the Navigator’ or ‘The Seafarer’. This Portuguese take-over was not acceptable by the natives of the island or by the Spanish Castilian residents who now dwelt on Lanzarote Island. Hence, a crisis ensued between the Spanish Castilian leaders and Portugal, regarding the rule of the Canary Islands. This in turn affected the municipality of Teguise as well and lasted from 1448 until 1459 when the Portuguese were expelled from the islands. Then in 1479, Portugal finally recognized the rule of the Castilian Spaniards over the Canary Islands in the ‘Treaty of Alcacovas’. Thus, the Spanish continued to rule most of the Canary Islands. However, absolute accession of these islands was not fulfilled until 1495 due to the topography and the struggle of the native Guanches of the islands. This was only accomplished when the last of the Islands of Canary, which were the La Palma Island and the Tenerife Island, were eventually conquered by Alonso Fernandez de Lugo who was a Spanish military man and administrator during 1495. After this was done, the Canary Islands were then integrated into the Spanish Crown of Castile.