Afonso VI of Portugal

Afonso VI
Portrait in the National Coach Museum
King of Portugal
Reign6 November 1656 – 12 September 1683
Acclamation15 November 1657
PredecessorJohn IV
SuccessorPeter II
RegentsLuisa de Guzmán
(1656–1662)
Peter, Duke of Beja
(1668–1683)
Chief ministerCount of Castelo Melhor
(1662–1667)
Born21 August 1643
Ribeira Palace, Lisbon, Portugal
Died12 September 1683 (aged 40)
Sintra Palace, Sintra, Portugal
Burial
Spouse
(m. 1666; ann. 1668)
HouseBraganza
FatherJohn IV of Portugal
MotherLuisa de Guzmán
ReligionRoman Catholicism

Dom Afonso VI (Portuguese pronunciation: [ɐˈfõsu]; 21 August 1643 – 12 September 1683), known as "the Victorious" (o Vitorioso), was the second king of Portugal of the House of Braganza from 1656 until his death.[1] He was initially under the regency of his mother, Luisa de Guzmán, until 1662, when he removed her to a convent and took power with the help of his favourite, D. Luís de Vasconcelos e Sousa, 3rd Count of Castelo Melhor.[2]

Afonso's reign saw the end of the Restoration War (1640–68) and Spain's recognition of Portugal's independence.[3] He also negotiated a French alliance through his marriage.[4] In 1668, his brother Pedro II conspired to have him declared incapable of ruling, and took supreme de facto power as regent, although nominally Afonso was still sovereign.[5] Queen Maria Francisca, Afonso's wife, received an annulment and subsequently married Pedro.[6] Afonso spent the rest of his life and reign practically a prisoner.[5][7][8]

  1. ^ McMurdo 1889, p. 407.
  2. ^ McMurdo 1889, pp. 416–417.
  3. ^ Ogg 1934, p. 334.
  4. ^ Ogg 1934, p. 325.
  5. ^ a b Livermore 1969, p. 195.
  6. ^ Ames 2000, p. 35.
  7. ^ Helpful up-to-date information is available in Martin Malcolm Elbl, Portuguese Studies Review 30 (1) (2022): 131-198. "Through 'Deplorable' Eyes: Barlow in Lisbon (1661) ~ Elite Theatrics, King Afonso VI of Portugal, Bullfights, and a Common English Seaman". Retrieved 30 April 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ McMurdo 1889, p. 441.