List of Portuguese monarchs

This is a List of Portuguese monarchs from the independence of Portugal from León in 1128-29 to the proclamation of the Republic in October 5 1910. Afonso Henriques proclaimed himself king in 1139. Ten years earlier he had proclaimed himself prince. His rule was recognized in 1143 by the Kingdom of Leon and in 1179 by the pope. The list includes the Houses of Burgundy (or Afonsine), Aviz, Philippine (or Habsburg) and Braganza.

House of Aviz

:Main articles: Portugal in the period of discoveries, Struggle for the throne of Portugal.

Related Topics:
Portugal in the period of discoveries - Struggle for the throne of Portugal

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The second dynasty of Portuguese Royalty is known as the House of Aviz, after John, Master of Aviz, who later became John I of Portugal.

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The House of Aviz followed the dynastical crisis that originated in the death of Ferdinand I in 1383. With the Portuguese victory in the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385 John I, half-brother of Ferdinand and natural son of Pedro I, was acclaimed King.

Related Topics:
Battle of Aljubarrota - 1385

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This period of Portuguese history is considered to include the ascension of Portugal to the status of a European and World power. This was triggered by the conquest of Ceuta in 1415 and followed by the exploration, colonization and commerce exercised in Africa, Asia and Brazil. It also includes the height of the Portuguese Empire during the reign of Manuel I and its decline during John III reign.

Related Topics:
Ceuta - 1415 - Africa - Asia - Brazil - Portuguese Empire

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John III was succeeded in 1557 by his grandson Sebastian who died aged 24 in the Battle of Alcazarquivir with no heir. He was then succeeded by his great-uncle Henry, aged 66, who, as a Catholic Cardinal, had no children either. Cardinal-King Henry died two years later and the civil war started with several claimants to the throne, including Catherine, Duchess of Braganza, Philip II of Spain and Anthony, Prior of Crato.

Related Topics:
1557 - Battle of Alcazarquivir - Catherine, Duchess of Braganza

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Anthony was acclaimed as King in several cities around the country in 1580, 20 days before Philip II of Spain invaded Portugal and defeated the supporters of Anthony in the Battle of Alcântara. Although Anthony continued to "rule the country" from the Azores Islands until 1583, the date of 1580 is generally accepted as the end of the House of Aviz as a Portuguese Royal House. The last King of the House of Aviz is subject to debate, with only some historians accepting the period of 20 days between Anthony's acclamation and the Battle of Alcântara as the reign of Anthony I of Portugal.

Related Topics:
1580 - Battle of Alcântara - Azores Islands - 1583

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