The royal Portuguese House of Braganza

This traditional Iberian Duchy assumed royalty in 1442 but only when one of the interminable rows with neighbouring Spain impressed John IV enough to actually sit on the throne, thus founding the dynasty, was it accepted as a fact by the rest of Europe. Previously, John had been the 8^th Duke of Braganza. It was 1640.

Reigning dates:

1640-56                        John IV (Joäo; his daughter Catherine married Charles II of England

                                    but they left no legitimate heirs. King Charles however left a great

                                   number of recognised bastards)              

1656-67                        Alfonso VI

1667-1706                    Pedro II

1706-50                        John V

1750-77                        José

1777-1816                    Maria I and, until 1786, Pedro III

1816-26                        John VI

1826                             Pedro IV, Emperor of Brazil, then Pedro I of Portugal 1922-31

1826-28                        María II da Gloria

1828-34                        Miguel

1834-53                        Miguel II da Gloria (again)

1853-61                        Pedro V, Emperor of Brazil. Then Pedro II of Portugal 1831-89

1861-89                        Luis I

1889-98                        Carlos I

European kings gathered round George V of England. Manuel of Portugal is 3rd from left, standing; next to him on his left is the Kaiser; seated in front of Manuel is Alfonso XIII of Spain. Both Manuel and Alfonso had to leave their countries. All pictured here are cousins, some are first cousins / blog.londonconnections.com

1908-10                        Manuel (Manoel) II

The First Republic was established in Portugal in 1910 with the abdication of Manoel. There is some confusion about who was actually reigning during various years between 1826 and 1834.