John II of Portugal
| John II | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| King of Portugal and the Algarves | |
| Reign | 28 August 1481 – 25 October 1495 |
| Acclamation | 31 August 1481 |
| Predecessor | Afonso V |
| Successor | Manuel I |
| Born |
3 March 1455 Castle of São Jorge, Portugal |
| Died | 25 October 1495 (aged 40) Alvor, Algarve |
| Burial | Monastery of Batalha |
| Spouse | Eleanor of Viseu |
| Issue among others... |
Afonso, Prince of Portugal |
| House | Aviz |
| Father | Afonso V of Portugal |
| Mother | Isabella of Coimbra |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
John II (Portuguese: João II,Portuguese pronunciation: [ʒuˈɐ̃w̃]; 3 March 1455 – 25 October 1495), the Perfect Prince (Portuguese: o Príncipe Perfeito), was the king of Portugal and the Algarves in 1477/1481–1495.
He is known for re-establishing the power of the Portuguese throne, reinvigorating the Portuguese economy, and renewing his country's exploration of Africa and the Orient.
Born in Lisbon, the son of King Afonso V of Portugal by his wife, Isabella of Coimbra, John II succeeded his father as ruler of Portugal in 1477, when the king retired to a monastery, but only became king in 1481, after the death of his father and predecessor.
As a prince, John II accompanied his father in the campaigns in northern Africa and was made a knight after the victory in the Conquest of Arzila in 1471. In 1473, he married Leonor of Viseu, an infanta of Portugal and his first cousin.
Even at a young age, John was not popular among the peers of the kingdom since he was immune to external influence and appeared to despise intrigue. The nobles (including particularly Ferdinand II, the Duke of Braganza) were afraid of his future policies as king.
After his official accession to the throne in 1481, John II took a series of measures to curtail the power of the Portuguese aristocracy and concentrate power in himself. As one of example of the measure he took, he deprived the nobles of their right to administer justice on their estates. Immediately, the nobles started to conspire. Letters of complaint and pleas to intervene were exchanged between the Duke of Braganza and Queen Isabella I of Castile.
...
Wikipedia