| Afonso VI | |
|---|---|
 Portrait in the National Coach Museum | |
| King of Portugal | |
| Reign | 6 November 1656 – 12 September 1683 |
| Acclamation | 15 November 1657 |
| Predecessor | John IV |
| Successor | Peter II |
| Regents | Luisa de Guzmán (1656–1662) Peter, Duke of Beja (1668–1683) |
| Chief minister | Count of Castelo Melhor (1662–1667) |
| Born | 21 August 1643 Ribeira Palace, Lisbon, Portugal |
| Died | 12 September 1683 (aged 40) Sintra Palace, Sintra, Portugal |
| Burial | |
| Spouse | |
| House | Braganza |
| Father | John IV of Portugal |
| Mother | Luisa de Guzmán |
| Religion | Roman 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]
- ^ McMurdo 1889, p. 407.
- ^ McMurdo 1889, pp. 416–417.
- ^ Ogg 1934, p. 334.
- ^ Ogg 1934, p. 325.
- ^ a b Livermore 1969, p. 195.
- ^ Ames 2000, p. 35.
- ^ 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) - ^ McMurdo 1889, p. 441.