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Portugal remained
under regal rule for a further 767 years until 1910,
when a military coup abolished the monarchy.
King
Manuel II, the
last reigning Portuguese monarch,
was deposed and he lived out his life in exile in the
United Kingdom until he died suddenly in suspicious
circumstances in Wimbledon.
During
Portugal's time as a monarchy there were three ruling families - the
House of Burgundy
(1143-1383); the House of Avis
(1385-1580) and the House of
Braganca (1640-1910). During this period
though Portuguese rule was passed to the Spanish crown
(1580-1640) for nearly a century - something the
Portuguese are not keen to celebrate.
The shortest serving
monarch was Pedro IV, who was nicknamed the Soldier
King. He ruled for just under two months in 1826, but was also
named Emperor of Brazil.
The longest reigning Portuguese
monarch was Alfonso Henriques, who ruled as
king for 42 years, though as Count of Portugal for 73
years.
There were only two regnant
Queens of Portugal -
Maria I and Maria II, though some would argue the
Infanta Beatrice should be added to the list for
her short, disputed reign in the 14th century. The other
queens of Portugal held the title as Queen Consorts,
wives of the Portuguese kings.
Most Portuguese kings were
afforded nicknames ranging from Afonso Henriques - O
Conquistador (the conqueror) through to
João II - O Príncipe
Perfeito (the Perfect Prince). |
