More Braganza jewels with a touch of history Archived Message
Posted by Jorge on February 1, 2015, 10:49 am
Today is a very sad day for all portuguese monarchists: 107 years ago King D.Carlos and Crown Prince D. Luis Filipe were murdered at Terreiro do Paço square, when the Royal Family was returning from the Family Palace in Vila Viçosa.
However, today I’m going to tell you another part of Portuguese history in order for you to understand the importance of the last event the Royal Family participated last year (with pictures of Braganza jewels, of course). Hope you like and understand this “small” history background.
At 4th August 1578, with only 24 years, King D.Sebastião of Portugal dies in the battle of Alcácer Quibir in Marrocos. Without legitimate heirs, he was succeeded by his father’s brother, Cardinal D.Henrique. Because D.Henrique was a Roman Catholic Church Cardinal, he was unable to marry in order to have legitimate descendants. He tried to have permission from the Pope to marry, but it was denied, allegedly because of a close political relation between the Pope and the King of Spain that, with the death of D.Henrique without heirs, would become one of the pretenders to the Portuguese Empire's throne.
When D.Henrique dies there were several pretenders to the Portuguese Throne:
1.Ranuccio Farnese, Hereditary Duke of Parma and his siblings Odoardo and Margherita 2.D.Catarina, Duchess of Braganza and her children 3.D.Filipe II of Spain and his children 4.Maria of Austria, Holy Roman Empress, Philip's sister, and her children 5.Emmanuel Philibert, Duke of Savoy and his children (son of Beatrice of Portugal, Duchess of Savoy, the youngest daughter of Manuel I) 6.D.Antonio, Prior of Crato
The most popular candidates were D.Catarina, D.Filipe and D. António. D.António, according to some sources still managed to became King, even though some people questioned the validity of his parents’ marriage and hence of his legitimacy. Without further details it happened that D.Filipe became King of Portugal. The Empires of Portugal and Spain became united under a personal union (both countries, theoretically, stayed independent). In 1580 began the 3rd Portuguese dynasty, popularly known as Philippine Dynasty, as all of its kings were named Filipe (Phillipe).
The reign of D.Filipe I of Portugal (D.Filipe II of Spain) was not too bad, as he respected the Portuguese independence. However we cannot say the same of his son and great-son and Portugal’s people became tired and revolted against Spanish King’s rule. Unless you ask me to, I´m not going to bother you with the details of the reasons why Portuguese people became so revolted. The fact is that the Habsburg House ruled Portugal for 60 years: from 1580 till 1640.
As a curiosity, I must add that the great poet Luis de Camões died in 1580, the same year D.Filipe started his reign over Portugal. Allegedly, when Camoes was dying, he said "Enfim acabarei a vida e verão todos que fui tão afeiçoado à minha Pátria que não só me contentei de morrer nela, mas com ela.". Translating it would be something like "Finally I will end up life and all of you will see that I was so fond of my country that not contented myself only to die in it, I will die with it”.
At the 1st December 1640, a rebellion ended the Habsburg rule over Portugal. D.João II, Duke of Braganza and grandson of D.Catarina, was crowned and acclaimed D.João IV, By the Grace of God, King of Portugal and the Algarves before and beyond the sea in Africa, Lord of Guinea and of Conquest, Navigation, and Commerce of Ethiopia, Arabia, Persia, and India, etc. As far as I know, this was the last coronation in Portugal because the new King, grateful for the divine help against the Spanish forces, crowned Our Lady of Vila Viçosa as Queen and patroness of Portugal. D.João IV has as cognomen “the Restorer [of the Independence]”. The House of Braganza started the 4th Portuguese Dynasty.
Since that day, the 1st December became a very important day: The Independence Day. Until a few years ago it was a public holiday.
With or without public holiday, the Royal House celebrates the Independence of Portugal with a Gala Dinner. This is a quite old tradition: I’m not sure when it started but certainly is decades old. The Duke of Braganza usually makes a speech to the Portuguese People. Anyone who wants can join the celebrations: just need to register (and pay). At the end everyone can greet the members of the Royal family present. This Gala is probably the most important national celebration of the Royal Family.
And now, the jewels. Last year the Duchess wore her magnificent emerald earrings. This was a great opportunity to have some clear shots of them.
on February 1, 2015, 10:49 am
