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King of Portugal and the Algarves / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
D. João V (English: John V; 22 October 1689 – 31 July 1750), known as João the Magnificent and the Portuguese Sun King, was a Braganza monarch that ruled as King of Portugal and the Algarves during the first half of the 18th-century. João V raised the prestige of Portugal, which had been in a long decline amongst European courts, [1] to a new and glorious level of prosperity and wealth.
João V | |||||
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![]() D. João V of Portugal; Pompeo Batoni. | |||||
King of Portugal and the Algarves (more...) | |||||
Reign | 9 December 1706 – 31 July 1750 | ||||
Acclamation | 1 January 1707; Lisbon | ||||
Predecessor | Pedro II | ||||
Successor | José I | ||||
Born | 22 October 1689 Ribeira Palace, Lisbon | ||||
Died | 31 July 1750 (aged 60) Ribeira Palace, Lisbon | ||||
Burial | |||||
Spouse | Maria Anna of Austria | ||||
Issue among others... | Barbara, Queen of Spain Pedro, Prince of Brazil Joseph I of Portugal Peter III of Portugal | ||||
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House | House of Braganza | ||||
Father | Pedro II of Portugal | ||||
Mother | Maria Sofia of Neuburg | ||||
Religion | Roman Catholicism | ||||
Signature | ![]() |
João V's reign saw an enormous influx of gold to the coffers of the King's Treasury, mainly based on the royal fifth from the Portuguese colonies of Brazil and Maranhão. With the combined wealth of the government and the royal household, João V was able to entertain an incredibly lavish court, one of the richest in Europe, which coincided with the enrichment of the Portuguese nobility. João V's wealth also allowed him to firmly rule the country as an absolute monarch, devoting a large portion of policy to keep the growing nobility in check. The Portuguese Sun King tied his enormous appetite for luxury and his lust for political control together by constructing the Royal Palace of Mafra, an imposing palatial complex that demonstrated João's wealth and power to his empire and to the church.
João V was a very pious man and he devoted large parts of his day to prayer and religious study. His devotion to the Catholic Church, and some very large donations to the Vatican, were rewarded by a long awaited recognition as a lawful monarch by Pope Benedict XIV. The Pope also granted João V the styling Most Faithful Majesty, which greatly pleased him. Though he looked at the Church for its acceptance and praise, João V affirmed that his policies came above those of the Church, coming into occasional conflict with the Papacy.