Predecessor Fernando II Name Jaime, of Mother Isabella of Viseu | Father Fernando II Successor Teodosio I | |
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Tenure 20 June 1483 – 20 September 1532 Issueamong others... Isabella, Duchess of GuimaraesTeodosio IConstantino, 7th Viceroy of India Died September 20, 1532, Vila Vicosa, Portugal Spouse Joana of Mendoza (m. 1520), Eleonor of Mendoza (m. 1500) Children Teodosio I, Duke of Braganza, Isabel of Braganza, Duchess of Guimaraes, Constantino of Braganza Parents Isabella of Viseu, Fernando II, Duke of Braganza Grandchildren Catherine, Duchess of Braganza | ||
Dom Jaime of Braganza (1479 – 20 September 1532) was the 4th Duke of Braganza and the 2nd Duke of Guimarães, among other titles. He is known for reviving the wealth and power of the House of Braganza, which had been confiscated by King João II of Portugal.
Contents
Life
Born in 1479, Jaime was young when he witnessed the arrest and execution of his father, Fernando II, Duke of Braganza, and of his uncle, Diogo I of Beja and Viseu. They were both executed for treason, when King João II of Portugal discovered a plot among the nobility against the Crown. After his father's death, Jaime's family, the House of Braganza, were banished to Castile and their properties and vast wealth were seized by the Portuguese Crown.
After King João II's death in 1495, the throne passed to João II's cousin, Manuel, Duke of Beja and Viseu. In 1498, Manuel I, having been a powerful nobleman before his ascension to the throne, forgave the House of Braganza and welcomed them back to Portugal. He returned all their possessions and then some, but demanded devout loyalty from the Duke of Braganza, Jaime. With all his wealth returned, Jaime saw to demonstrate the power of the House of Braganza by building the Ducal Palace of Vila Viçosa, a sumptuous Portuguese Renaissance palace in the Alentejo province of Portugal.
Royal favour
Later in 1498, Manuel I was to go on a trip of duty to Castile. This was shortly after Portugal had witnessed a succession crisis and Manuel I, who had no heirs, saw to it that Parliament (the Cortes) named Jaime, son of Isabel of Beja and Viseu, Manuel I's sister, heir presumptive to the throne of Portugal.
Jaime married Leonor Pérez de Guzmán y Pérez de Guzmán, daughter of Juan Alfonso Pérez de Guzmán, 3rd Duke of Medina Sidonia. She was murdered in 1512 by order of Jaime who suspected her of adultery. King Manuel I decided that Jaime, to escape imprisonment, would have to prepare and fully finance a fleet to conquer the city of Azamor, on the Moroccan Atlantic coast. The city was easily conquered by the Duke's forces and he returned to Portugal forgiven and a hero.
Marriages and children
In 1500, Jaime married Leonor Pérez de Guzmán, daughter of Juan Alfonso Pérez de Guzmán, 3rd Duke of Medina Sidonia. They had two children before she was killed in 1512.
In 1520, Jaime married Joana of Mendoça, daughter of Diogo of Mendonça, High-Alcaide of Mourão. They had eight children, most of whom saw successful lives.