Pedro was hated for his violence. He committed or ordered a number of murders including that of his wife. In 1366, his bastard brother Henry at the head of a group of Free Companies — professional soldiers — displaced him. Henry won popular support partly because of the widespread hatred of Pedro, hut also because he inflamed Spanish anti-Semitism, publicly referring to Pedro as "king of the Jews."
Pedro took refuge for a time with the Black Prince, who restored him briefly to his throne. However, he offended the Prince by dishonorable behavior and broken promises, and lost his support.
