Count of Vimioso
| The Comital House of Vimioso | |
|---|---|
| Country | Portugal |
| Parent house | House of Braganza |
| Titles |
|
| Founded | 1515 |
| Founder | Francisco de Portugal |
| Current head | Fernando Patrício de Portugal de Sousa Coutinho |
Count of Vimioso (in Portuguese Conde de Vimioso) is a Portuguese title of nobility which have its origins in Alphonse, Bishop of Évora, the natural son of Alphonse, 4th Count of Ourém and 1st Marquis of Valença (eldest son of Alphonse I, Duke of Braganza). Therefore, the Counts of Vimioso were closely related to the Braganzas.
This title was created on February 2, 1515, by King Manuel I of Portugal for his 3rd cousin, Francisco de Portugal (Francis of Portugal), also known as Francis I, 1st Count of Vimioso, a natural son of Alphonse of Portugal, Bishop of Évora.
The House of the Counts of Vimioso had also close links with the Portuguese Royal family, as members of the King's Council, ambassadors, and Vice-roys. The 2nd Count, Alphonse I of Portugal, joined King Sebastian in his crusade in Morocco, and died there (during the Battle of Alcazarquivir in 1578 or, according to others, imprisoned by the moors after the battle).
This was one of the few Portuguese high aristocracy families to support King Anthony I of Portugal against King Philip II of Spain claims, during the War of the Portuguese Succession (1580–1583). The 3rd Count, Dom Francisco de Portugal (Francis II), was appointed King's Anthony Constable, leading the Portuguese armies in the Battle of Alcântara (1580); he found death, two years later, in the naval Battle of Vila Franca, off São Miguel Island, in the Azores.
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