Afonso V of Portugal
King of Portugal who conquered Moroccan cities and claimed Castile.
Afonso V, known as the African, was King of Portugal from 1438 until his death in 1481, with a brief interruption in 1477. He is notable for his military campaigns in Morocco, which earned him his sobriquet, and for his claim to the throne of Castile, which led to the War of the Castilian Succession.
Quick Facts
- Reign
- 13 September 1438 – 11 November 1477
- Cor type
- Acclamation
- Coronation
- 15 January 1446
- Predecessor
- Edward
- Successor
- John II
- Reg type
- Regents
- Regent
- Eleanor of Aragon (1438–39); Peter of Coimbra (1439–48)
- Born
- 15 January 1432
Facts from the source article.
Early life
Afonso was born in Sintra on 15 January 1432, the second son of Edward, King of Portugal, and Eleanor of Aragon. After the death of his older brother, Infante João, he became heir apparent and was created the first Prince of Portugal by his father, who wished to emulate the English custom of a dynastic title for the heir. Afonso was only six when he succeeded his father in 1438. During his minority, his mother Eleanor was named regent by Edward's will, but as a foreigner and a woman she was unpopular. The cortes in late 1438 required a joint regency of Eleanor and Pedro, Duke of Coimbra, the late king's younger brother. This dual regency failed, and in 1439 the cortes named Pedro protector and guardian of the king and ruler and defender of the kingdom. Eleanor fled to Castile. Pedro's regency was marked by political unrest and conflict with Afonso, Count of Barcelos, his half-brother. In 1441, Afonso V's betrothal to Pedro's eldest daughter, Isabella, was arranged, causing friction with the Count of Barcelos, who wanted the king to marry his granddaughter. Relations worsened when Pedro had his son elected Constable of Portugal in 1443, a title the Count believed belonged to his own eldest son. Afonso reached majority in 1446, but Pedro retained power. Afonso and Isabella married on 6 May 1447, but the Count of Barcelos gained influence over the young king and persuaded him to dismiss Pedro in July 1448. Pedro retired to Coimbra, and Afonso forbade him from leaving his estates and warned nobles not to visit him. On 15 September 1448, Afonso nullified all laws and edicts approved under the regency, and later stripped Pedro's son of the constable title. In early 1449, Afonso interpreted Pedro's refusal to yield arms as rebellion and prepared for civil war.
Rule
Afonso V bankrolled the Atlantic voyages spearheaded by his uncle, Prince Henry the Navigator. In early 1449, he gave Henry exclusive rights to sail the African Atlantic from Cape Cantin to Bojador. This move sparked a feud with John II of Castile, who insisted that the conquest of Barbary and Guinea belonged to Castile and complained about Henry's attacks on Castilian ships. The tension cooled in 1455 when Afonso's youngest sister, Joan, married John II's son, Henry. In 1452, Pope Nicholas V issued the bull Dum Diversas, giving Afonso permission to enslave Saracens, pagans, and other non-believers permanently. The 1455 bull Romanus Pontifex confirmed and broadened this authority. These documents later served as a rationale for colonialism and the slave trade. When Henry died in 1460, his nephew Ferdinand took over his titles, but the trade monopoly went back to the crown. In 1469, Afonso handed Fernão Gomes a monopoly on Gulf of Guinea trade, requiring an annual payment of 200,000 reais and the exploration of 100 leagues of African coastline each year. Afonso's African ambitions grew from a wish to aid the Papacy against Islam after Constantinople fell in 1453. Though a large crusade never materialized, Afonso, having already readied troops in Portugal, launched military campaigns in Morocco.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Afonso V of Portugal born?
Afonso V of Portugal was born on 15 January 1432 in Sintra Palace, Portugal.
When did Afonso V of Portugal die?
Afonso V of Portugal died on 28 August 1481 in Lisbon, Portugal.
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