Philippa, like so many medieval women, is just a means to an end for her father, John of Gaunt, who wants to be King of Castille.

Gaunt marries his daughter to a bastard-born man who takes the throne of Portugal by force.

Philippa is not a wall flower. She involves herself in political affairs in her home country of England. Her husband listens to her sage advice guiding the crown in Portugal.

She raises sons who take Portugal in new directions. They are one of Portugal's greatest generations.