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Constable of Portugal facts for kids

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The Constable of Portugal (called Condestável de Portugal in Portuguese) was a very important job in the old Kingdom of Portugal. It was like being the main general or commander of the army. This special role was created by King Ferdinand I in 1382. Before that, the main army leader was called the High Standard-bearer (Alferes-Mor). Sometimes, people also called this role the Constable of the Kingdom.

What did the Constable do?

The Constable was the second most powerful person in Portugal, right after the King himself! Their main job was to lead the military when the King wasn't around. They also made sure the soldiers followed the rules and kept good discipline in the army. The Constable had to be present at all military tribunals, which were like military court hearings.

After the time of King John IV (who ruled from 1640 to 1656), the title of Constable changed. It stopped having real military or administrative duties. Instead, it became an honorary title, which means it was given to someone as a sign of respect or status, but without the old responsibilities.

List of Constables of Portugal

Here is a list of some of the people who held the important title of Constable of Portugal:

  1. Álvaro Pires de Castro, 1st Count of Arraiolos and 1st Count of Viana (da Foz do Lima) (brother of Inês de Castro) (1310-1384)
  2. Nuno Álvares Pereira, often called the Saint Constable, a very famous Portuguese hero. He was also the 38th Lord Chamberlain (Mordomo-Mor) of Portugal for King John I, and held several other noble titles (1360-1431)
  3. João of Portugal, an Infante (a prince) of Portugal and Lord of Reguengos, Colares and Belas (1400-1442)
  4. Diogo of Portugal, son of the former, also an Infante of Portugal (1425-1443)
  5. Pedro of Portugal, who also became King of Aragon and Count of Barcelona, and was Grand Master of the Order of Aviz (1429-1466)
  6. Fernando, 2nd Duke of Viseu, an Infante of Portugal (1433-1470)
  7. John, Marquis of Montemor-o-Novo, son of Fernando I, Duke of Braganza (born around 1430)
  8. Afonso of Viseu, grandson of Fernando, Duke of Viseu (1480-1504)
  9. Luís, 5th Duke of Beja, an Infante of Portugal (1506-1555)
  10. Duarte II, 5th Duke of Guimarães, grandson of King Manuel I of Portugal (1541-1576)
  11. John, 6th Duke of Braganza (1543-1583)
  12. Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, 3rd Duke of Alba (1581-1582)
  13. Teodósio II, 7th Duke of Braganza (1582-1630)
  14. João IV, King of Portugal (1604-1656)
  15. Francisco de Melo, 5th Marquis of Ferreira, 4th Count of Tentúgal (1588-1645)
  16. Pedro of Braganza, Duke of Beja (who later became King of Portugal) (1648-1706)
  17. Nuno Álvares Pereira de Melo, 1st Duke of Cadaval, 4th Marquis of Ferreira, 5th Count of Tentúgal (1638-1727)
  18. Francisco, 7th Duke of Beja, an Infante of Portugal (1691-1742)
  19. João VI, King of Portugal (1767-1826)
  20. Miguel, King of Portugal (1802-1866)
  21. Nuno Caetano Álvares Pereira de Melo, 6th Duke of Cadaval, 8th Marquis of Ferreira, 9th Count of Tentúgal (1799-1837)
  22. António de Vasconcelos e Sousa Câmara Caminha Faro e Veiga, 8th Count of Calheta, 4th Marquis of Castelo Melhor (1816-1858)
  23. Luís I, King of Portugal (1838-1889)
  24. João, 8th Duke of Beja, an Infante of Portugal (1842-1861)
  25. Afonso, Duke of Porto, an Infante of Portugal (1865-1920)

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