John II’s Ruthless Purge of the Nobility:…

John II’s Ruthless Purge of the Nobility: The Fall of the House of Braganza (1483–1484)

After securing his throne in 1481, King John II of Portugal launched a systematic campaign to weaken the nobility, targeting the two most powerful noble houses:

1. The House of Braganza (Fernando II, Duke of Braganza)
2. The House of Viseu and Beja (Diogo, Duke of Viseu and Beja)

These houses had become too powerful under Afonso V, and John II, determined to establish absolute royal authority, moved against them ruthlessly and decisively.

The Execution of Fernando II, Duke of Braganza (1483)

• Fernando II of Braganza (b. 1430) had been a loyal supporter of Afonso V, participating in the Moroccan campaigns and the War of the Castilian Succession (1475–1479).
• After Afonso V’s failed attempt to claim Castile, John II came to power and saw Braganza as a direct threatdue to his vast landholdings and Castilian connections.
• The Duke of Braganza was accused of high treason, with John II presenting forged letters as evidence that Braganza was conspiring with Isabella I of Castile.
• In 1483, John II had Fernando II executed in Évora, marking the beginning of his brutal crackdown on the nobility.

Confiscation of Braganza Estates and the Family’s Exile

• After the execution of Fernando II, John II confiscated all Braganza estates, stripping the family of its wealth and power.
• The remaining members of the House of Braganza fled to Castile, seeking refuge under Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand.
• This was a major victory for John II, as he had successfully neutralized the most powerful noble house in Portugal.

The Execution of Diogo, Duke of Viseu (1484)

• Not satisfied with eliminating one major noble house, John II turned against Diogo, Duke of Viseu, the leader of the House of Viseu and Beja.
• In 1484, John II personally stabbed and killed Diogo in the palace, further demonstrating his absolute authority.
• He then confiscated Diogo’s vast estates, ensuring that no noble family could rival the Crown.

Consequences of John II’s Actions

1. End of Noble Resistance

   • With Braganza exiled and Viseu eliminated, John II destroyed Portugal’s feudal aristocracy, making the monarchy unquestionably supreme.

2. Royal Wealth and Power

   • The confiscated Braganza and Viseu estates provided massive financial resources for the Crown.

3. Focus on Maritime Expansion

   • With internal threats crushed, John II invested in Portuguese exploration, leading to:
     • Bartolomeu Dias rounding the Cape of Good Hope (1488).
     • Vasco da Gama reaching India (1498, under Manuel I).

4. The Braganza Family’s Future Rise

   • The Braganzas remained in exile until 1498, when King Manuel I pardoned them.
   • In 1640, the House of Braganza overthrew Spanish rule, and Duke João IV of Braganza became King of Portugal, establishing the Braganza dynasty (1640–1910).

John II: The Perfect Prince and Absolute Monarch

By eliminating the feudal power of the nobility, John II secured absolute royal control, shaping Portugal into a centralized and efficient monarchy, paving the way for its Golden Age of Exploration and Empire.