John III of Portugal

John III (June 6, 1502–June 11, 1557; Portuguese: João III), nicknamed o Piedoso ("the Pious") was the fifteenth king of Portugal.

Related Topics:
June 6 - 1502 - June 11 - 1557 - Portuguese - King of Portugal

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Born in Lisbon, he was the son of King Manuel I and his queen consort, Maria of Aragon (the third daughter of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain). John succeeded his father in 1521 at the age of 19.

Related Topics:
Lisbon - King Manuel I - Queen consort - Maria of Aragon - King Ferdinand - Queen Isabella - Spain - 1521

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John III became king when the Portuguese Empire was at the height of its mercantile and colonial power, with its capital city of Lisbon occupying a position of new commercial importance. During his rule, Portuguese possessions were extended by further conquests in Asia and the Portuguese colonization of Brazil. John III's policy of reinforcing positions in India (such as Goa) secured Portugal's monopoly over the Moluccas spice trade.

Related Topics:
Portuguese Empire - Mercantile - Lisbon - Asia - Portuguese colonization - Brazil - India - Goa - Monopoly - Moluccas - Spice trade

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It was also during John's reign that the Portuguese first contacted China under the Ming Dynasty and Japan during the Muromachi period of Nanban, the first Western contacts. John abandoned Muslim territories in North Africa in favor of trade with India and investment in Brazil. He also intensified contacts with the Baltic region and the Rhineland in Europe in the hope of increasing Portuguese trade.

Related Topics:
China - Ming Dynasty - Japan - Muromachi period - Nanban - Muslim - North Africa - Baltic region - Rhineland - Europe - Trade

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John was responsible for the evangelization of the Far East and Brazil, partly through the introduction of the Jesuit missions. However, the Society of Jesus and the Portuguese Inquisition (introduced in 1536) had disastrous effects on the commercial prosperity and social stability of the Empire.

Related Topics:
Evangelization - Far East - Jesuit - Missions - Portuguese Inquisition - 1536

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In the later years of John's reign, Portugal fell into the stagnation that would also characterize the reign of John's grandson Sebastian, who succeeded him when John died of apoplexy in 1557.

Related Topics:
Sebastian - Apoplexy - 1557

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