Predecessor Afonso I Successor Fernando II | Spouse Joana de Castro Name Fernando Duke | |
 | ||
Tenure 15 December 1461 – 1 April 1478 Died 1 April 1478
Vila Vicosa, Alentejo,
Kingdom of Portugal Issue
among others... Fernando II
Joao, 1st Marquis of Montemore-o-Novo
Alvaro, 4th Lord of Cadaval | ||
Dom Fernando I of Braganza ([fɨɾˈnɐ̃du]; 1403 – 1 April 1478) was the 2nd Duke of Braganza and the 1st Marquis of Vila Viçosa, among other titles. He took part in the Portuguese conquests in North Africa and served as governor of different territories there.
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Early Life and North African Conquest
Born in 1403, Fernando was the son of Afonso, 1st Duke of Braganza and Beatriz Pereira de Alvim. He was given the title of 3rd Count of Arraiolos when still a child.
In 1432, the young Fernando was called upon by King John I for consultation on a project, promoted by Prince Henry the Navigator, to launch a campaign of conquest against the Marinid sultante of Morocco. Fernando advised against the project. When the project was raised again during the reign of King Edward in 1436, Fernando reiterated his objections. Nonetheless, despite his opposition, Edward appointed Fernando as constable of the nobles for the 1437 expedition to seize Tangier. Although the expedition was under the overall command of Henry the Navigator, Edward felt Fernando's military expertise was necessary to make up for Henry's inexperience.
After failing to conquer the city by assault, the Portuguese expeditionary army was surrounded and starved into submission by a Moroccan relief army. In return for being allowed to withdraw his troops unmolested, Henry agreed to a treaty to deliver Ceuta back to the Marinids. For the fulfillment of the treaty, Henry handed over his own brother, Ferdinand the Saint Prince as a hostage to the Moroccans.
Return to Portugal
Back in Portugal, Fernando led the opposition to the treaty. At the Cortes of Leiria assembled in early 1438 by King Edward, Fernando rallied the nobles and took the floor, urging them to refuse to surrender Ceuta. Fernando claimed the treaty was signed under duress and invalid. It was largely because of Fernando's energetic campaign that the Cortes rejected ratification and told the king to find some other way of securing Prince Fernando's release (none was found – Fernando the Saint Prince would die in Moroccan captivity in 1443).
Fernando was nominated Governor of Ceuta from 1445 until 1450.
By royal decree dated from May 25, 1455, King Afonso V of Portugal granted Fernando the new title of 1st Marquis of Vila Viçosa.
In 1458, Fernando took part, along with his sons, in the expedition that conquered the Moroccan city of Alcácer Ceguer.
In 1460, as his older brother Afonso, died without legitimate issue, he became the 5th Count of Ourém and the House of Braganza's heir. One year later, following his father’s death, in 1461, he also became the 2nd Duke of Braganza, 9th Count of Barcelos, 3rd Count of Neiva, and 3rd Count of Faria.
In 1471, when King Afonso V took to North Africa to conquer the city of Arzila, he remained in mainland Portugal as regent of the kingdom.
Marriage and Issue
Fernando I married, on 28 December 1429, Joana de Castro, Lady of Cadaval, (1410 – 14 February 1479). They had nine children, of whom three were still born.