The Tree of Europe · Person

Sebastian of Portugal

«the Desired»

He died without issue at the Battle of Alcácer Quibir. His disappearance opened a crisis that eventually allowed Philip II to add Portugal to his domains.

1554 – 1578King of PortugalAviz · ES

Explore this family · Spanish Atlas Back to people

Contemporary portraitPortrait of King D. SebastiãoCristóvão de Morais · c. 1571–1574Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, Lisbon · inv. 1165 PintPublic domain · PD-Art / PDM 1.0 · Source

This complete profile is available in English. Bibliographic titles retain their original language. Links marked ES open the Spanish edition.

Historical profile

Key details

Birth: 1554 Documented

Death: 1578 Documented

Role: King of Portugal

Other recorded names: Sebastian the Desired · Sebastian I of Portugal · Sebastião of Portugal

Dynasty: Aviz · ES

Territories: Portugal (ES)

Recorded governments and reigns

King · Portugal · Reign Pending review1557–1578Effective rule

Family network

Recorded relationships

Parents

John Manuel of Portugal · ESDocumentedJoanna of Austria · ESDocumented

Documentation

Sources for this profile

Biographical and contextual references in their original language. Sources and methodology.

Evidence for this profile

5 recorded claims · 1 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.

Dates (2/2 with a precise source)

BirthDocumented
1554
The authority record gives the birth as 1554.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Sebastian I., Portugal, König · Vital data: birth date
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·
DeathDocumented
1578
The authority record gives the death as 1578.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Sebastian I., Portugal, König · Vital data: death date
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·

Family and relationships (2/2 with a precise source)

FatherDocumented
John Manuel of Portugal
The authority record identifies John Manuel of Portugal (GND 1023825341) as father.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Sebastian I., Portugal, König · Relationships: father → GND 1023825341
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·
MotherDocumented
Joanna of Austria
The authority record identifies Joanna of Austria (GND 121209881) as mother.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Sebastian I., Portugal, König · Relationships: mother → GND 121209881
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·

Governments (0/1 with a precise source)

GovernmentPending review
King · Portugal · 1557–1578
A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·

Biographical and contextual references (3)

Editorial history

2026-10-12 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-08 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-03 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-09-30 · The duchy is limited to Dijon and Autun; each other fief now enters the map only under its dated ruler. John III of Namur and the Nevers/Rethel branch were added. The previous shape combined later counties and unrelated lands as if all belonged to the duchy from 1363.
2026-09-28 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.

Follow this person through history

Story · Spanish original