The Kings of Portugal: History

The kings of Portugal sat on the throne for more than seven hundred years. They have had a significant impact on the historical processes in Europe and the world. In the period of the highest power, Portugal was one of the most influential powers. Many monarchs were involved in the political life of other European powers, owing to the close intertwining of dynasties.

History and background

The kings of Portugal have been descended from ancient times. As early as the beginning of the eighth century the Visigoths created the first independent formations on the Iberian Peninsula. However, at this time, the expansion of the Saracens to the mainland begins. At that time, they were much more united and developed than the scattered tribes. Therefore, in a fairly short period they managed to occupy almost the entire peninsula. In response to the invasion of the Moors, the western and southern part of Christian Europe meets the Reconquista. The conquest of territories begins. This war will last for more than one century. In the ninth century, almost on the border between the Christian world and the emirates, the kingdom of Leon creates its own county.

The first Portuguese county was headed by Vimara Peres. This state formation is considered the first prototype of modern Portugal. Counts submitted to Leon and paid tribute to his vassal. Because of its proximity to the epicenter of the war, the county was actively involved in the Reconquista. Along with Spain, there was the largest number of knights from Europe. Even before the first crusades , settlers from all over the continent arrived here. Many of the knights who arrived with the retinue for war against the Saracens, eventually settled. At the end of the ninth century, riots against the central authorities are gaining momentum. Insurrections are almost always supported by the Portuguese county.

As a result, the second county significantly expands its territory to the south. Henry of Burgundy, who received these lands for his services to the crown, greatly enhances the influence of the county. It gradually absorbs other vassal territories. And soon the first king of Portugal, Afonso, came to power.

Obtaining independence

The king of Castile sent a large army to the south. He also urged the French to help in the expulsion of the Moors. One of the knights - Henry of Burgundy - was given land near the border. There his son Afonso was born. By the time of his birth, Heinrich was already a count of Portugal. The boy took the title after the death of his father. However, his mother Teresa rules . The upbringing of Afonso was occupied by the bishop of Braga. He did this with a far-sighted plan. Realizing the changes on the peninsula, he intended to put a young graph at the head of the opposition to his mother.

After an open speech, the archbishop and eleven-year-old heir of the title are expelled from the country. For several years they live abroad. For three years they have found themselves allies and means for return. At fourteen, Afonso becomes a knight and arrives in the county. The war against the mother begins. Afonso is supported by knights and local feudal lords. However, over time, the side of Theresa gets a vassal - the king of Castile himself.

Five years later there is a turning point in the war. The prince's army wins at Guimaraes. The mother of the military leader is taken prisoner, who goes to the monastery for good. Now the power in Portugal is concentrated in the same hands. However, a much more important victory was the expulsion of Alfonso Seventh. De facto vassal dependence was destroyed. The first king of Portugal ascended the throne. However, in order to obtain complete independence, other monarchies and the papal throne had to recognize the new king.

Struggle for recognition

The process of recognition in medieval Europe was quite complicated. After all, in the case of establishing contacts with the newly-born king, problems with his former vassal could arise. One of the most influential institutions that determine legitimacy was the Vatican. Recognition of the Pope would guarantee the support of European states. Therefore, throughout Portugal began to build churches at the expense of the treasury. Papal representatives received significant benefits. Also, the king decided to finally deal with the Saracens in the south. A number of major victories allowed the invaders to be thrown out of the Tagus. After that, the embassy of the throne departed for Rome. At this moment, intending to return their territories, the emperor Alfonso invades the country. The King of Portugal is going to the army and gives a decisive rebuff. But the rich Castile continues to wage war at the expense of mercenaries.

As a result, the world is concluded and Afonso is recognized as king, but at the same time remains under the rule of Spain. After the death of the emperor, a new war begins. This time the Portuguese make the first move and invade Galicia. However, the initial success is brought to nothing by the capture of Afonso himself. Since at that time the self-proclaimed king was the key figure for the state, the ransom for him was the conquered territory. As a result, the kingdom of Leon, without a single battle, joined several regions. However, Afonso's bid for the church was played. In the one hundred seventy-ninth year, the papal throne officially recognizes the independence of Portugal. Also the Pope on behalf of the Lord gives the right to hike against the Saracens. This event is one of the most important in the history of the Iberian Peninsula. From this day the kings of Portugal begin to rule. Afonso also managed to take part in several wars. At the age of seventy he successfully led the breakthrough of the siege of Santarem. His death became a real national mourning. Now the first king is revered as a national hero.

Strengthening the monarchy

After the death of Afonso for several generations, the kings of Portugal predominantly continued his cause. Sancho was engaged in reconquest and increased influence on the peninsula. In some areas, he managed to push the Moors to the south. Towns and villages began to be built. This was facilitated by new land reforms. Now the monastic orders could receive their possessions in their property, but they pledged to build settlements before the crown.

In the foreign policy for many centuries, the center of attention was the reconquista. All the kings of Portugal directed their efforts to struggle against the Saracens. The list of reforms has expanded under the rule of Afonso Tolstiak. The first parliament was created. The cities received considerable liberties. In many ways, their charter of rights copied the Roman statute.

The crisis is on the way

After the establishment of the monarchy, political life in the country was almost unchanged. With varying success wars waged with the Moors, diplomats continued to try to isolate themselves from the influence of Castile. However, the usual course of affairs was changed with the ascent to the throne of Pedro 1. The King of Portugal, while still a prince, laid the bomb under his throne. His father Afonso the Fourth wished him a marriage with a Castilian royal personage. Such a merger was to further strengthen the position of the kingdom on the peninsula. However, the marriage with the Emperor's daughter did not take place. Meanwhile, the Emperor Alfonso himself decides to marry the daughter of the king. But since he was married to the wife of a local count, he annuls this marriage. As a result, the father of the bride Manuel begins the war. Soon it is supported by the Portuguese. To cement the alliance, Pedro is married to the daughter of Manuel. Constance arrives in Portugal. After the marriage, the prince pays more attention to her companion Ines. In the forty-fifth year Constance dies, having given birth to a child.

Pedro begins to live with his ex-wife's maid of honor. Inez gives birth to his children. The king is concerned about his son's behavior. He orders him to find himself a more suitable companion. But Pedro does not heed his advice and even claims to marry Inez. In addition, her brothers and relatives come to Portugal. With the easy hand of the prince, they receive high government posts. It's very disturbing to the father and to know. Rumors begin to spread about a possible war for the throne after the death of Afonso the Fourth. Most of all, the nobility fears the Castilians' seizure of power in the country, although Inez's relatives were expelled from Spain.

The Death of the Old King

As a result, Afonso does not stand such pressure. Wishing to secure the future of his dynasty, he secretly sends three assassins. As a result, Inez is killed. The news of the death of a lover leads Pedro into a rage. He refuses to recognize his father and is preparing an uprising. But soon they are reconciled. And after a while Afonso the Fourth dies under mysterious circumstances. In the fifty-seventh year, Pedro is crowned. As it turned out, he never forgave his wife's murder. First of all, he starts looking for the murderer's murderers. He even manages to reach an agreement with Castile on their extradition. Three years later he was brought two murderers. He personally carves their hearts. The latter managed to hide all his life.

As the myth says, after cutting out the hearts, he performed some insane ritual. Allegedly the king ordered to get Ines from the coffin, dress up in a dress and put on the throne. After that, all the nobility had to swear an oath and kiss her hand (according to other sources - a dress). There are no reliable sources describing this event, but there is a picture.

Foreign policy

Pedro's government was characterized by changes in foreign policy. Now in priority was England. Portuguese ambassadors regularly visited the foggy Albion. A number of trade agreements were concluded, allowing merchants to freely import their goods into the territory of the two kingdoms. At the same time, peace-loving relations with Spain remained. The reconquista advanced slowly enough. Since now the Moors were increasingly viewed as possible allies in the struggle for power in the region.

However, rather successful reforms inside the country and conquest outside it do not go to any comparison with the love games of Pedro the First. Because of the intricate story with three wives, the king created the best possible ground for internecine warfare.

The fall of the dynasty

After Pedro's death, power passed to his son from his first wife Fernado. He began his reign quite ambitious. Immediately after the death of the Castilian emperor, he claims his claims to the throne. Using as an excuse the family ties of his grandmother, he tries to unite the power not only over Portugal, but also over Castile and Leon. However, the Spanish nobility refuses to accept it. To confront the Castilian court, Fernando concludes an alliance with the Saracens, a war begins. After a while, the Pope intervenes in it and a truce comes. However, Fernando does not abandon his claims, but only forgets about them for a while. At the insistence of the papal throne, the king was to marry the daughter of a Castilian ruler. But instead, Fernando takes Leonora Menezes as his wife. The next war begins. The Portuguese are able to conclude a number of beneficial allied agreements and persuade Henry to a truce.

But after Heinrich's death, the King of Spain and Portugal (as he considered himself), Fenrand First appealed for help to England. Edward sends his troops and his daughter to Lisbon by sea. After the marriage, we are expected to march on Castile. But the king suddenly renounces his claims and concludes peace. For this the British army is ruining part of its possessions. Six months after these events, Fernando dies. After him comes a period of turmoil.

Interregnum and Decline

After the death of Fernando no male heir remains. The power passes to his daughter. And in view of his small age, in fact - to her mother. Leonora plaits intrigue and quickly finds a new lover. And the daughter is going to give out for the Castilian heir. This would make Portugal part of Spain. To know is extremely unhappy with this fact. Since the alliance with Castile contradicts the basic principles of foreign policy that all previous kings of Portugal professed. The list of candidates for the throne is growing every day. Basically, these are illegitimate children Pedro and their descendants.

At the same time, unpopular reforms are being introduced in the country. All these factors lead to conspiracy and coup. In the eighty-fifth year, an uprising began in Lisbon. As a result, the rebels kill the favorite of Leonora. Cortez is convened (a meeting of parliamentarians). On the throne goes Juan 1. The king of Portugal immediately faces the danger of a Spanish invasion. After the expulsion of Beatrice became the direct declaration of war.

And the king's fears were not in vain. Juan First invades with a huge army. His goal is Lisbon. On the side of the Castilians came a detachment of Frenchmen. As an allied aid to Portugal comes the English expeditionary squad of six hundred archers. After two major battles, the Spaniards withdraw and relinquish claims to the throne. After that, João led a largely peace-loving policy. The main changes concerned internal reforms. Culture and education developed. Many cities have grown significantly.

Strengthening of power

The nobles were always the pillar of the society on which the kings of Portugal relied. History knows hundreds of examples when they rebelled against their overlord. After the advent of the Avis dynasty, the position of the nobles changed significantly. This is largely due to the gratitude of the new kings. Duarte, for example, distributed a large number of lands to the courtiers. As a result, they gained more independence. João 2 decided to solve this problem. The King of Portugal, right after the ascent, created a new institution - the Royal Commission on Charters. She reconsidered the rights of the nobles to their lands. In response to such a decisive step, the nobles are preparing a plot.

However, it is quickly opened. The head of the rebels is caught, and his estate is taken under siege by the royal troops. After this, another intrigue is brewing with the aim of killing the king and calling for the reign of the Castilian pretender. But it is revealed by João. The King of Portugal himself kills the leader of the conspirators.

João was extremely ambitious and arrogant. He had charisma and had a huge influence on the courtiers. Was interested in military art. Even when he was a prince, he often took part in knight tournaments, where he invariably held the first places. He was a supporter of strict centralization of power. Nevertheless, he also patronized many humanitarian spheres. He also allocated considerable funds from the royal treasury for the development of science. According to some reports, he was an inveterate chess player. Even specially invited European masters for the party.

Legends of the royal family

During the reign of Joao III at court, rumors were circulating that Sister Henry 8 Margarita and the King of Portugal could marry. A close relationship with England developed during Pedro the First. The Britons often acted on the side of the Portuguese in the wars with Castile. Therefore, for many then it seemed that the Tudors would give one of their daughters for João to strengthen allied relations. Sister Henry 8 Margarita and the King of Portugal in fact, most likely, did not even see each other. However, many legends brought them together. In particular, in the popular modern TV series "The Tudors," Margarita marries the Portuguese in a plot.

Sebastian was in the center of another famous "royal" legend. The King of Portugal ascended the throne immediately after the death of his father. Grow in difficult conditions. Parenting was actually the work of the cardinal. Mother fled to Spain, and the grandmother soon died. As a result, the boy became a full-fledged king at the age of fifteen. And almost immediately he went to his own crusade, in which he died. In the homeland for a long time there was a legend that supposedly Sebastian was alive and preparing to return to the country in order to save her from the claims of the Spanish King Philip. As a result of such sentiments in society, several times in Portugal appeared impostors who claimed the rights to the throne.

The End of the Monarchy

By the beginning of the twentieth century, the monarchy was in decline. To protect their power, the crown strengthened repression. At the same time, the people spread socialist and republican sentiments. On February 1, 1908, the fate of the dictatorship in Portugal was decided. Having overthrown the king's power, some Republicans were going to organize a revolution. Therefore, they killed Carlos I and his family right in the center of Lisbon. Nevertheless, one of the heirs of the throne managed to survive. Mother saved the ten-year-old Manuela. However, he showed no interest in public affairs. Therefore, two years later, a revolution begins in the country, which led to the overthrow of the monarchical system and the proclamation of the republic.

Thus ended the 700-year history of the monarchy in Portugal. Initially, the goals of the crown corresponded to the national requirements of the people. Moreover, the throne was a unifying and formative force for the Portuguese nation. Political activity did not differ much. Protection from Spanish influence was given the main place by the kings of Portugal. The chronology of dynasties and tribal branches is kept in the Lisbon Monastery of Jeronimos. Many royal families were closely related to the most famous houses in Europe.