Afonso, 1st Duke of Braganza
Encyclopedia
Dom
Afonso I, the 1st Duke of Braganza (Fronteira, Cabeço de Vide, 10 August 1377 - Chaves, 15 December 1461; ɐˈfõsu) was the eighth Count of Barcelos
, the 2nd Count of Neiva, 2nd Lord of Faria and the first Duke of Braganza
.
King John I
and Inês Peres. He married Beatriz Pereira de Alvim
, daughter of Nuno Álvares Pereira
, a general of the kingdom, and heir of the most opulent house of the kingdom.
. When his half-brother King Edward I of Portugal died in 1438, his son Afonso V (Afonso's nephew) was an infant and the choice for the regency was the Queen Mother Eleonor of Aragon (Afonso's sister-in-law). This choice for the regency was not popular because Eleonor was Aragonese, so in a meeting of the Portuguese Cortes
summoned by Afonso's half-brother John, Lord of Reguengos de Monsaraz, the regency was awarded to the Infante Peter, Duke of Coimbra, another half-brother of Afonso and an uncle of the young king. This choice pleased both the people and the fast-growing bourgeoisie
.
Within the Portuguese aristocracy, however, especially those in the circle around Afonso, Eleonor of Aragon was preferred, and there were doubts about Peter's political abilities. A contest for the young king's affection began, and within a few years, Afonso managed to become Afonso V's favourite uncle.
In 1443, in a gesture of reconciliation, Peter made Afonso the first Duke of Braganza
and the relations between both seemed to return to normality. But, in 1445, Afonso took offence because Isabella of Coimbra, Peter's daughter, became the choice for Afonso V's wife, and not one of his granddaughters. Indifferent to the intrigues, Peter continued his regency and the country prospered under his rule. It was during this period that the first subsidies for the exploration of the Atlantic Ocean
were appropriated under the supervision of Henry the Navigator (another of Afonso's half-brothers).
On 9 June 1448, King Afonso V came of age, and Peter turned over control of the country to the king. Influenced by Afonso, the young king nullified all of Peter's edicts.
The following year, under accusations that years later would prove false, Afonso V declared his uncle Peter a rebel. The situation became unsustainable and a civil war begun. It was short, because on 20 May 1449, during the Battle of Alfarrobeira
, near Alverca, Peter died. The exact conditions of his death are debatable: some say it was in combat, other say he was assassinated by one of his own men.
After the Battle of Alfarrobeira, Afonso V gave new powers to his uncle Afonso and nine years later when he departed to Africa
, the regency was delegated to him.
Afonso married a second time, perhaps in 1420, to his third cousin Constance of Noronha, daughter of Alfonso, Count of Gijón and Noronha (a natural son of Henry II of Castile), and of Isabel of Portugal
(a natural daughter of Fernando I of Portugal). Constance was the first Duchess of Braganza
, and she is buried in Guimarães
. They had no issue.
Dom (title)
Dom is a title of respect prefixed to the given name. It derives from Latin Dominus.It is used in English for certain Benedictine and Carthusian monks, and for members of certain communities of Canons Regular. Examples include Benedictine monks of the English Benedictine Congregation...
Afonso I, the 1st Duke of Braganza (Fronteira, Cabeço de Vide, 10 August 1377 - Chaves, 15 December 1461; ɐˈfõsu) was the eighth Count of Barcelos
Count of Barcelos
Count of Barcelos is a title of nobility, the first to be granted in Portugal. It was created in 1298 by king Denis I and initially it was a non hereditary title, although most of the holders belonged to the Teles de Menezes family...
, the 2nd Count of Neiva, 2nd Lord of Faria and the first Duke of Braganza
Duke of Braganza
The title Duke of Braganza in the House of Braganza is one of the most important titles in the peerage of Portugal. Since the House of Braganza acceded to the throne of Portugal in 1640, the male heir of the Portuguese Crown was known as the Duke of Braganza and Prince of Brazil until 1822, or...
.
Origins
Historians believe he was born in Veiros, Estremoz, Alentejo, as a natural son of PortuguesePortugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
King John I
John I of Portugal
John I KG , called the Good or of Happy Memory, more rarely and outside Portugal the Bastard, was the tenth King of Portugal and the Algarve and the first to use the title Lord of Ceuta...
and Inês Peres. He married Beatriz Pereira de Alvim
Beatriz Pereira Alvim
Beatriz Pereira de Alvim was the daughter of Nuno Álvares Pereira and his wife Leonor de Alvim, and first Duchess of Braganza. On 8 November 1401, she married Afonso, Duke of Braganza...
, daughter of Nuno Álvares Pereira
Nuno Álvares Pereira
Dom Nuno Álvares Pereira, O. Carm. , also spelled Nun'Álvares Pereira, was a Portuguese general of great success who had a decisive role in the 1383-1385 Crisis that assured Portugal's independence from Castile...
, a general of the kingdom, and heir of the most opulent house of the kingdom.
Life
A traveled and cultivated man, Afonso was present in 1415 when the Portuguese conquered CeutaCeuta
Ceuta is an autonomous city of Spain and an exclave located on the north coast of North Africa surrounded by Morocco. Separated from the Iberian peninsula by the Strait of Gibraltar, Ceuta lies on the border of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Ceuta along with the other Spanish...
. When his half-brother King Edward I of Portugal died in 1438, his son Afonso V (Afonso's nephew) was an infant and the choice for the regency was the Queen Mother Eleonor of Aragon (Afonso's sister-in-law). This choice for the regency was not popular because Eleonor was Aragonese, so in a meeting of the Portuguese Cortes
Portuguese Cortes
In the Medieval Kingdom of Portugal, the Cortes was an assembly of representatives of the estates of the realm - the nobility, clergy and bourgeoisie. It was called and dismissed by the King of Portugal at will, at a place of his choosing...
summoned by Afonso's half-brother John, Lord of Reguengos de Monsaraz, the regency was awarded to the Infante Peter, Duke of Coimbra, another half-brother of Afonso and an uncle of the young king. This choice pleased both the people and the fast-growing bourgeoisie
Bourgeoisie
In sociology and political science, bourgeoisie describes a range of groups across history. In the Western world, between the late 18th century and the present day, the bourgeoisie is a social class "characterized by their ownership of capital and their related culture." A member of the...
.
Within the Portuguese aristocracy, however, especially those in the circle around Afonso, Eleonor of Aragon was preferred, and there were doubts about Peter's political abilities. A contest for the young king's affection began, and within a few years, Afonso managed to become Afonso V's favourite uncle.
In 1443, in a gesture of reconciliation, Peter made Afonso the first Duke of Braganza
Duke of Braganza
The title Duke of Braganza in the House of Braganza is one of the most important titles in the peerage of Portugal. Since the House of Braganza acceded to the throne of Portugal in 1640, the male heir of the Portuguese Crown was known as the Duke of Braganza and Prince of Brazil until 1822, or...
and the relations between both seemed to return to normality. But, in 1445, Afonso took offence because Isabella of Coimbra, Peter's daughter, became the choice for Afonso V's wife, and not one of his granddaughters. Indifferent to the intrigues, Peter continued his regency and the country prospered under his rule. It was during this period that the first subsidies for the exploration of the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
were appropriated under the supervision of Henry the Navigator (another of Afonso's half-brothers).
On 9 June 1448, King Afonso V came of age, and Peter turned over control of the country to the king. Influenced by Afonso, the young king nullified all of Peter's edicts.
The following year, under accusations that years later would prove false, Afonso V declared his uncle Peter a rebel. The situation became unsustainable and a civil war begun. It was short, because on 20 May 1449, during the Battle of Alfarrobeira
Battle of Alfarrobeira
The Battle of Alfarrobeira took place on 20 May 1449. It was a confrontation between the forces commanded by King Afonso V of Portugal and his uncle Afonso, Duke of Braganza, against the army of the rebellious Pedro, Duke of Coimbra. The place was Alverca do Ribatejo, near Lisbon, at the margins...
, near Alverca, Peter died. The exact conditions of his death are debatable: some say it was in combat, other say he was assassinated by one of his own men.
After the Battle of Alfarrobeira, Afonso V gave new powers to his uncle Afonso and nine years later when he departed to Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, the regency was delegated to him.
Marriages and Issue
Afonso married twice, first on 8 November 1401 to Beatriz Pereira de Alvim, from whom he had three children:- Afonso of BraganzaAfonso, Marquis of ValençaAlphonse of Braganza was the older son of Afonso, 1st Duke of Braganza and of his wife, Beatriz Pereira Alvim ....
(1400–1460), 4th Count of OurémCount of OurémCount of Ourém is a Portuguese title granted, in 1370 by King Fernando I of Portugal, to Dom João Afonso Telo de Meneses, uncle of Queen Leonor Telles de Menezes...
and 1st Marquis of ValençaMarquis of ValençaMarquis of Valença was a Portuguese title of nobility granted by royal decree of King Afonso V of Portugal, dated from October 11, 1451, to Dom Afonso of Braganza , who already was 4th Count of Ourém....
, married to Dona Brites de Sousa, and had issue (family de Portugal, Counts of VimiosoCount of VimiosoCount of Vimioso is a Portuguese title of nobility which have their origins in Alphonse, Bishop of Évora, the natural son of Alphonse, 4th Count of Ourém and 1st Marquis of Valença...
); - Isabella of BraganzaIsabella of BraganzaIsabella of Braganza , also known as Isabella of Barcelos...
(1402–1465), also known as Isabella of Barcelos, married her uncle Infante João, Lord of Reguengos, son of King John I of PortugalJohn I of PortugalJohn I KG , called the Good or of Happy Memory, more rarely and outside Portugal the Bastard, was the tenth King of Portugal and the Algarve and the first to use the title Lord of Ceuta...
; - Fernando I, Duke of BraganzaFernando I, Duke of BraganzaFerdinand was the second son of Afonso, 1st Duke of Braganza and of his wife, Beatriz Pereira de Alvim .-Life:...
(1403–1478), second Duke of BraganzaDuke of BraganzaThe title Duke of Braganza in the House of Braganza is one of the most important titles in the peerage of Portugal. Since the House of Braganza acceded to the throne of Portugal in 1640, the male heir of the Portuguese Crown was known as the Duke of Braganza and Prince of Brazil until 1822, or...
, succeeding his father.
Afonso married a second time, perhaps in 1420, to his third cousin Constance of Noronha, daughter of Alfonso, Count of Gijón and Noronha (a natural son of Henry II of Castile), and of Isabel of Portugal
Isabel of Portugal, Countess of Gijón and Noroña
Isabel of Portugal was the natural daughter of King Ferdinand I of Portugal, from unknown mother.- Biography :Before 1386 she was betrothed to João Afonso Telo de Menezes, 1st Count of Viana , son of the powerful Dom João Afonso Telo de Menezes, 4th Count of Barcelos...
(a natural daughter of Fernando I of Portugal). Constance was the first Duchess of Braganza
Duchess of Braganza
- House of Braganza :- House of Braganza :- See also :*Princess of Portugal*Princess of Brazil*Princess Royal of Portugal*List of Portuguese consorts*List of Brazilian consorts...
, and she is buried in Guimarães
Guimarães
Guimarães Municipality is located in northwestern Portugal in the province of Minho and in the Braga District. It contains the city of Guimarães.The present Mayor is António Magalhães Silva, elected by the Socialist Party.-Parishes:-Economy:...
. They had no issue.