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John II of Portugal

1455–1495

Born
12 Mar 1455, Castle of Saint George
Country of birth
Kingdom of Portugal, today Portugal
Died
3 Nov 1495, Alvor
facts
13
sources
3
images and files
0

Facts and their sources

Tap a fact to see where it comes from.

  • Birth12 Mar 1455, Castle of Saint GeorgeProbable1 source
  • TitleMonarch of Portugal, 1477Confirmed3 competing claims1 source
  • TitleMonarch of Portugal, 1481–1495Confirmed3 competing claims1 source
  • Death3 Nov 1495, AlvorProbable1 source
  • ParentAfonso V of PortugalConfirmed1 source
  • ParentIsabella of CoimbraConfirmed1 source
  • TitleGrand Master of the Order of the Tower and SwordConfirmed3 competing claims1 source
  • TitleGrand Master of the Order of Saint James of the SwordConfirmed3 competing claims1 source
  • UnionEleanor of ViseuConfirmed1 source

A life in time

  1. Born · Castle of Saint George

    Birth, Castle of Saint George

  2. Child born: Afonso, Prince of Portugal

    Birth, Lisbon

  3. Event · Monarch of Portugal

    Event

  4. Child born: Jorge de Lencastre, 2nd Duke of Coimbra

    Birth, Abrantes

  5. Event · Monarch of Portugal

    Event

  6. Died · Alvor

    Death, Alvor

What was it like?

The world around Castle of Saint George, 1455: who ruled, who else was alive, how people lived. This is general history, not a record about the family, and every item shows where it comes from.

When John was born in 1455, Castle of Saint George belonged to the Kingdom of Portugal, ruled by Afonso V of Portugal.

Known for

John II, called the Perfect Prince, was King of Portugal from 1481 until his death in 1495, and also for a brief time in 1477. He is known for reestablishing the power of the Portuguese monarchy, reinvigorating the economy of Portugal, and renewing the Portuguese exploration of Africa and Asia.

Titles held

  • Monarch of Portugal1477
  • Monarch of Portugal1481–1495
  • Grand Master of the Order of the Tower and Sword
  • Grand Master of the Order of Saint James of the Sword
Who ruled
  • Afonso V of Portugal

    Monarch of Portugal, 1438–1481 · Kingdom of Portugal

  • John II of Portugal

    Monarch of Portugal, 1481–1495 · Kingdom of Portugal

  • Manuel I of Portugal

    Monarch of Portugal, 1495–1521 · Kingdom of Portugal

Prices and wages

Fruits and sweets as rare luxuries

Special treats like fruit and sweets, including pastries called farteis, were considered luxuries for common people, typically enjoyed only during festivals and religious holidays.

Family

Ancestors and children

Open the full tree

Four generations back to the right, the children to the left. The number beside a child counts the generations of descendants known after them.