Duchy of Braganza

Duchy of Braganza

The Duchy of Braganza, in Portuguese: Ducado de Bragança, has been the fief of an important Portuguese noble family: the House of Braganza, and is one of the most important Dukedoms of Portugal. Created in 1442 by King Afonso V of Portugal for his uncle Afonso, Count of Barcelos (natural son of John I of Portugal), it is one of the oldest fiefdoms in Portugal.

After the accession of the House of Braganza to the Portuguese throne in 1640, following the Philippine Dynasty of Spanish Habsburgs, the heir of the Portuguese Crown has been known as the Duke of Braganza (see that article for further developments of the dukedom) together with, or alternately to Prince of Beira. After the foundation of the Portuguese Republic in 1910, the tradition of the heir to the throne being titled Duke of Braganza was revived by some pretenders to signify their claims to the throne.

History

The Duchy of Braganza, a Dukedom, was created in 1442 by king Afonso V of Portugal for his uncle Afonso, Count of Barcelos (natural son of John I of Portugal). Along with the duchies of Coimbra and Viseu created by John I for his sons Peter and Henry after their capture of Ceuta from the Moors in 1415, it is one of the first duchies of Portugal.

By 1640, Portugal was on the verge of rebellion and a new Portuguese king had to be found. The choice fell upon the eighth duke, John II of Braganza, who had a claim both through his grandmother, Infanta Catherine, and through his great-great-grandfather, the 4th duke, nephew of King Manuel. The duke was a modest man without particular ambitions to the crown. Legend says that his wife, Leonor of Guzman, daughter of the duke of Medina-Sidónia, urged him to accept the offer saying, I'd rather be Queen for one day than duchess for a lifetime. He accepted the leadership of the rebellion, which was successful, and was acclaimed John IV of Portugal on December 1, 1640.

After the accession of the Braganzas to the throne, the duchy was linked to the Crown and the Duke of Braganza became the traditional title of the heir to the Crown, together with or alternate to Prince of Beira, much as Prince of Wales is in the United Kingdom. The fief itself became merged in the crown.

See also

External links


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Braganza — may refer to:* the English name for the Portuguese city and district of Bragança * the name of a Portuguese ducal and later royal House * Duchy of Braganza, a fief in medieval history of Portugal * Duke of Braganza, a Portuguese title that has… …   Wikipedia

  • 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, as the ancient Duchy of Braganza ( Bragança ), is one of the oldest and most important dukedoms in Portugal. Since the House of… …   Wikipedia

  • Dukes of Braganza — Original Coat of Arms of the Dukes of Braganza (before 1481) …   Wikipedia

  • House of Braganza — The Most Serene House of Braganza (Portuguese: Sereníssima Casa de Bragança , pron. IPA2|bɾɐ. ɣɐ̃.sɐ) was the dynasty which ruled Portugal from 1640 to 1910 and the Empire of Brazil from 1822 to 1889.It is a collateral line of the House of Aviz,… …   Wikipedia

  • Duchess of Braganza — See also: Duke of Braganza Contents 1 Duchess of Braganza 1.1 House of Braganza 2 Nominal Duchess of Braganza 2.1 House of Braganza …   Wikipedia

  • List of Portuguese monarchs — This is a list of Portuguese monarchs dating from the independence of Portugal from the kingdom of León in 1128 under Afonso Henriques, who proclaimed himself King in 1139, to the proclamation of the Portuguese Republic on October 5, 1910, during …   Wikipedia

  • Bragança District — Coordinates: 41°48′26″N 6°45′33″W / 41.80722°N 6.75917°W / 41.80722; 6.75917 …   Wikipedia

  • Couto Misto — Microstate 10th century–1868 …   Wikipedia

  • Мария Амелия Бразильская — порт. Dona Maria Amélia Augusta Eugénia Josefina Luísa Teodolinda Heloísa Francisca Xavier de Paula Micaela Gabriela Rafaela Gonzaga …   Википедия

  • Miguel of Portugal — Miguel I King of Portugal and the Algarves Reign 26 February 1828 6 May 1834 Predecessor Maria II Successor …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”