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.
Arms. Argent, a saltire gules charged with five escutcheons of Portugal. Arms of the dukes of Braganza. As kings from 1640, they bore the arms of Portugal.
Descent, marriage and inheritance connect houses in different ways. Each documented link retains its own explanation.
The dynasty born of the crisis of 1383–1385 governed Portugal during its Atlantic expansion and ended with Sebastian’s death at Alcácer Quibir and that of his uncle Henry.
Read the recordAfonso, a natural son of John I of Aviz, 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 treeAfonso, a natural son of King John I, married the daughter of Constable Nuno Álvares Pereira, heiress to his great lordships. In 1442 he received the Duchy of Braganza from his nephew Afonso V.
Duke Ferdinand II was executed in 1483 for conspiring against John II, and the house recovered its possessions under Manuel I. In 1580 Duchess Catherine, Manuel I’s granddaughter, was one of the claimants to the throne gained by Philip II. In 1640 Duke John was acclaimed King John IV, restoring Portugal’s independence.
The Braganzas reigned in Portugal until 1910. Facing the French invasion, the court moved to Brazil in 1807–1808. In 1822 Pedro, John VI’s son, proclaimed the Empire of Brazil, which his house ruled until 1889. Catherine of Braganza became Queen of England through her marriage to Charles II in 1662.
John IV of Portugal“the Restorer”King of Portugal1604 – 1656
Peter II of Portugal“the Pacific”King of Portugal1648 – 1706
John V of Portugal“the Magnanimous”King of Portugal1689 – 1750
Joseph I of Portugal“the Reformer”King of Portugal1714 – 1777
Maria I of Portugal“the Pious”Queen regnant of Portugal1734 – 1816
John VI of Portugal“the Clement”King of Portugal1767 – 1826
Pedro I of Brazil“the Liberator”Emperor of Brazil · King of Portugal as Pedro IV1798 – 1834John IV of Portugal“the Restorer”King of Portugal1604 – 1656
Afonso VI of PortugalKing of Portugal1643 – 1683Peter II of Portugal“the Pacific”King of Portugal1648 – 1706John V of Portugal“the Magnanimous”King of Portugal1689 – 1750Barbara of Braganza · ESConsort1711 – 1758Joseph I of Portugal“the Reformer”King of Portugal1714 – 1777
Peter III of PortugalKing consort of Portugal1717 – 1786Maria I of Portugal“the Pious”Queen regnant of Portugal1734 – 1816John VI of Portugal“the Clement”King of Portugal1767 – 1826Pedro I of Brazil“the Liberator”Emperor of Brazil · King of Portugal as Pedro IV1798 – 1834Includes nominal titles, regencies and disputes when recorded. Annual intervals do not establish continuous or exclusive control.
| Person | Territory and title | Period | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| John IV of Portugal | King · Portugal · ES | 1640–1656 | Effective rule |
| Afonso VI of Portugal | King · Portugal · ES | 1656–1667 | Effective ruleA minor king under Luisa de Guzmán’s regency until 1662; removed from government in 1667. |
| Peter II of Portugal | Regent · Portugal · ES | 1667–1683 | RegencyPrince Regent. Government in place of Afonso VI after his removal from power; king only from 1683. |
| Afonso VI of Portugal | King · Portugal · ES | 1668–1683 | TitularHe retained the royal title after being removed from government in 1667. His brother Peter acted as regent. |
| Peter II of Portugal | King · Portugal · ES | 1683–1706 | Effective rule |
| John V of Portugal | King · Portugal · ES | 1706–1750 | Effective rule |
| Joseph I of Portugal | King · Portugal · ES | 1750–1777 | Effective rule |
| Peter III of Portugal | King · Portugal · ES | 1777–1786 | Jure uxoris |
| Maria I of Portugal | Queen · Portugal · ES | 1777–1816 | Effective rule |
| Maria I of Portugal | Queen · Brazil · ES | 1815–1816 | Effective rule |
| John VI of Portugal | King · Portugal · ES | 1816–1826 | Effective rule |
| John VI of Portugal | King · Brazil · ES | 1816–1821 | Effective rule |
| John VI of Portugal | Emperor · Brazil · ES | 1822–1822 | Effective rule |
| Pedro I of Brazil | Emperor · Brazil · ES | 1822–1831 | Effective rule |
| Pedro I of Brazil | King · Portugal · ES | 1826–1826 | Effective rule |
General references do not by themselves verify every relationship or date. Bibliographic titles retain their original language.
Sources and methodology