The dynasty born of the crisis of 1383–1385 that governed Portugal during its Atlantic expansion and ended with Sebastian’s death at Alcácer Quibir and that of his uncle Henry.
Arms. Argent, five escutcheons azure in cross, charged with plates; a bordure gules with castles or, and overall the fleur-de-lis ends vert of the Cross of Aviz. The arms of Portugal from John I (1385). John II removed the Cross of Aviz in 1485.
Descent, marriage and inheritance connect houses in different ways. Each documented link retains its own explanation.
The Portuguese branch of the Capetian ducal House of Burgundy, also known as the first or Afonsine dynasty, governed the kingdom from its formation until the succession crisis of 1383–1385.
Read the recordJohn I of Aviz was Peter I of Portugal’s natural son. His election in 1385 inaugurated another reigning house within the descendants of Portugal’s first dynasty.
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An illegitimate branch of the House of Aviz that, from the creation of its duchy in 1442, became Portugal’s greatest noble house. It reigned in Portugal from 1640 and in Brazil from 1822.
Read the recordAfonso, John I of Aviz’s natural son, received the Duchy of Braganza in 1442. His descendants formed a powerful noble house and reached the Portuguese throne with John IV in 1640.
View the connection in the Spanish treeJohn, master of the Order of Aviz and natural son of Peter I, was acclaimed king by the Cortes of Coimbra in 1385 against John I of Castile’s claims. His victory at Aljubarrota (1385) and the English alliance, sealed by his marriage to Philippa of Lancaster, secured the kingdom’s independence.
The conquest of Ceuta (1415) opened African expansion, promoted by Infante Henry the Navigator. John II organised the route towards India and negotiated the Treaty of Tordesillas (1494) with Castile. Under Manuel I, Vasco da Gama reached India and Cabral reached Brazil.
Sebastian died childless at Alcácer Quibir (1578). After Cardinal Henry’s brief reign, Philip II, a grandson of Manuel I through his mother, was recognised as king in 1581. Portugal recovered its independence in 1640 under the House of Braganza, descended from John I.
John I of Portugal“of Good Memory”King of Portugal1357 – 1433
Edward of Portugal“the Eloquent”King of Portugal1391 – 1438Peter of Portugal · ESDuke1392 – 1449
Afonso V of Portugal“the African”King of Portugal1432 – 1481
John II of Portugal“the Perfect Prince”King of Portugal1455 – 1495
Manuel I of Portugal“the Fortunate”King of Portugal1469 – 1521
John III of Portugal“the Pious”King of Portugal1502 – 1557
Sebastian of Portugal“the Desired”King of Portugal1554 – 1578John I of Portugal“of Good Memory”King of Portugal1357 – 1433Edward of Portugal“the Eloquent”King of Portugal1391 – 1438Peter of Portugal · ESDuke1392 – 1449
Isabella of PortugalConsort1397 – 1471John of Portugal · ESConstable1400 – 1442Isabella of Portugal · ESConsortc. 1428 – 1496Beatrice of Portugal · ESNoble1429 – 1506Afonso V of Portugal“the African”King of Portugal1432 – 1481Isabella of Coimbra · ESConsort1432 – 1455Ferdinand of Portugal · ESDuke1433 – 1470
Eleanor of Portugal · ESConsort1434 – 1467Joan of Portugal · ESConsort1439 – 1475John II of Portugal“the Perfect Prince”King of Portugal1455 – 1495Eleanor of Viseu · ESConsort1458 – 1525Manuel I of Portugal“the Fortunate”King of Portugal1469 – 1521Afonso of Portugal · ESPrince1475 – 1491Miguel da Paz · ESPrince1498 – 1500John III of Portugal“the Pious”King of Portugal1502 – 1557
Isabella of Portugal · ESConsort1503 – 1539Beatrice of Portugal · ESConsort1504 – 1538
Henry of PortugalKing of Portugal1512 – 1580Duarte of Portugal, Duke of Guimarães · ESDuke1515 – 1540Maria Manuela of Portugal · ESConsort1527 – 1545John Manuel of Portugal · ESPrince1537 – 1554Maria of Portugal · ESPrincess / Consort1538 – 1577Catherine of Portugal · ESInfanta1540 – 1614Sebastian of Portugal“the Desired”King of Portugal1554 – 1578Includes nominal titles, regencies and disputes when recorded. Annual intervals do not establish continuous or exclusive control.
| Person | Territory and title | Period | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| John I of Portugal | King · Portugal · ES | 1385–1433 | Effective rule |
| Edward of Portugal | King · Portugal · ES | 1433–1438 | Effective rule |
| Afonso V of Portugal | King · Portugal · ES | 1438–1481 | Effective rule |
| John II of Portugal | King · Portugal · ES | 1481–1495 | Effective rule |
| Manuel I of Portugal | King · Portugal · ES | 1495–1521 | Effective rule |
| John III of Portugal | King · Portugal · ES | 1521–1557 | Effective rule |
| Sebastian of Portugal | King · Portugal · ES | 1557–1578 | Effective rule |
| Henry of Portugal | King · Portugal · ES | 1578–1580 | Effective rule |
General references do not by themselves verify every relationship or date. Bibliographic titles retain their original language.
