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The
kingdom of Portugal
came into existence in 1143, when it's independence from
Spanish rule in Leon was recognised. The first
King of Portugal,
Afonso Henriques,
was a Count of Burgundy and the son of an illegitimate
daughter of the King of Leon. Alfonso it is said to have
been unanimously declared King by his soldiers
immediately following the Battle of Ourique on 25th July
1139, though papal blessing was only given in 1179.
The Portugal we know today is much
larger than the original lands which were declared the
Kingdom of Portugal. It was King Sancho I (son of Afonso
Henriques) who declared himself King of Portugal and of
the Algarve, though it wasn't until 1249 when the last
of the Moors were driven out of Faro that the title was
rang true.
Portugal remained
under regal rule for a further 767 years until 1910,
when a military coup abolished the monarchy.
King
Manuel II, the
last reigning Portuguese monarch,
was deposed and he lived out his life in exile in the
United Kingdom.
There
were three ruling families during this period - the
House of Burgundy
(1143-1383); the House of Avis
(1385-1580) and the House of
Braganca (1640-1910). During this period
though Portuguese rule was passed to the Spanish crown
(1580-1640) for nearly a century - something the
Portuguese are not keen to celebrate.
The shortest serving
monarch was Pedro IV, who was nicknamed the Soldier
King. He ruled for just under two months. but was also
named Emperor of Brazil.
The longest reigning Portuguese
monarch was Alfonso Henriques, who ruled as
king for 42 years, though as Count of Portugal for 73
years.
There were only two regnant
Queens of Portugal -
Maria I and Maria II, though some would argue the
Infanta Beatrice should be added to the list for
her short, disputed reign in the 14th century. The other
queens of Portugal held the title as Queen Consorts,
wives of the Portuguese kings. |
