Full Name: João II
Profession: King of Portugal
Biography: John II of Portugal was King of Portugal from 1481 to his death in 1495. During this period he strengthened royal authority, initiated critical economic reforms, and significantly advanced Portuguese exploration endeavors in Africa and Asia.
Born into royalty in Lisbon, John was the son of King Afonso V of Portugal and Isabella of Coimbra. He initially assumed the Portuguese throne in 1477 during his father’s brief abdication but only commenced his official tenure following his father's demise in 1481.
His early years included military campaigns in North Africa, where he earned his knighthood at the Conquest of Arzila in 1471. He wed Leonor of Viseu in 1473. Initially unpopular with the nobility, his decisive actions soon signified a shift towards an internal focus on strengthening the monarchy.
John II purposefully worked to curtail the influence of the feudal aristocracy and centralize power. He abolished their judicial privileges, spawning several conspiracies against him.
The king intercepted correspondence between the Duke of Braganza and Queen Isabella I of Castile, for instance, which, after securing the safety of his son Afonso, allowed him to dismantle the Braganza family's power by executing the Duke and seizing their assets. The execution of his cousin, the Duke of Viseu, for alleged conspiracy further affirmed his authority and dissuaded additional uprisings.
In response to the kingdom's financial distress, John II instituted a scholarly council to reform economic policies, emphasizing merit in appointment. This council's work, along with his patronage of maritime discovery, revitalized the economy, stabilized the currency, and increased tax inputs from gold trade in Guinea.
The king's commitment to oceanic discovery underpinned a series of significant navigational achievements during his reign. This period saw the establishment of São Jorge da Mina in 1482, Diogo Cão's unveiling of the Congo River in 1484, the rounding of the Cape of Good Hope by Bartolomeu Dias in 1488, and Álvaro Caminha's colonization of São Tomé and Príncipe islands in 1493.
After Christopher Columbus's voyage in 1493, a conflict with Castile arose over territorial claims, prompting the negotiation of the Treaty of Tordesillas to apportion the New World between Portugal and Spain.
The king's death in 1495 left no legitimate descendants, leading to the ascension of his cousin and brother-in-law, Manuel I. John II was lauded as the "Perfect Prince," seen as an embodiment of Machiavelli's ideal monarch.
Born: March 3, 1455
Birthplace: Lisbon, Portugal
Star Sign: Pisces
Died: October 25, 1495 (aged 40)
References
Famous Kings
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