Portugal

1.5 Portrait of Philip II in a manuscript document, Granada, 1572. (Photograph courtesy of Sotheby’s, Inc., © 2003)

During the 15th and most of the 16th century, Portugal’s rulers were the house of Avis, founded in 1385. As was Spain’s, Portugal’s monarchy was tempered by representational bodies, the Cortes, who included commoners. John I (1357-1433), an illegitimate son of the king, was elected to the monarchy by the Cortes after the heir to the throne died. The Cortes thus asserted their power over the king of Spain, who claimed Portugal. During the reign of John I, his respect for chivalric ideals was reflected in society at large. Because his grandson, Afonso V (1432-81), was only five years old when he inherited the crown, his mother and uncle ruled as regents. Afonso later had aggressive territorial ambitions, leaving the government in the hands of the Cortes while he ventured out on several futile campaigns. Manuel I (1469-1521), king of Portugal, using income from overseas colonies, provided numerous jobs and built up the economy with his ecclesiastical architectural commissions. Social programs benefited from the influx of funds. On the negative side, he expelled the Jews from Portuguese domains, losing a significant percentage of skilled workers as well as wealthy taxpayers. Other individuals were also leaving Portugal, but as colonists to overseas possessions. Not only did these adventurers help fill the coffers of the royal treasury, but they also left jobs that could be filled by others, thus keeping society fluid and peaceful. Unlike Spain, Portugal experienced relatively little

Handbook to Life in Renaissance Europe

Civic unrest during this period. King Sebastian I (1554-78) had no interest in governmental business, which he delegated to his advisers and councils. When Sebastian was killed in battle in 1578, the situation was ripe for internal turmoil and conflict. Between 1580 and 1640, Portugal was ruled by the Spanish Crown.