House of Braganza Facts for Kids

The House of Braganza (Portuguese: Casa de Bragança) is a very important royal family from Portugal. It is a branch of the House of Aviz. This family started as powerful dukes in Portugal. Later, they became the kings and queens of Portugal and the Algarves from 1640 to 1910. They also ruled as emperors of Brazil from 1815 to 1889. The person next in line to the Portuguese throne was often called the "Duke of Braganza".

Most Serene House of Braganza Sereníssima Casa de Bragança
Quick facts for kids
Country:	Kingdom of Portugal Empire of Brazil
Parent House:	Portuguese House of Burgundy by way of the House of Aviz
Titles:	Emperor of Brazil King of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves King of Portugal King of the Algarves United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves Prince of Brazil Prince Royal of Portugal
Founder:	Afonso, Duke of Braganza
Final Ruler:	United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves: João VI (1822) Kingdom of Portugal: Manuel II (1910) Empire of Brazil: Pedro II (1889)
Current Head:	Duarte Pio, Duke of Braganza
Founding Year:	1442 Empire of Brazil: 1889
Ethnicity:	Portuguese, Brazilian

History of the Braganza Family
Famous Members of the House of Braganza
Images for kids
See also

History of the Braganza Family

How the House of Braganza Started

The House of Braganza began in 1442. This was when Afonso, who was the 8th Count of Barcelos, became the first Duke of Braganza. Afonso (also known as Afonso I) was the son of King João I of Portugal. King João I was from the House of Aviz.

Afonso I was made a duke by his nephew, King Afonso V of Portugal. The dukes of Braganza quickly became very rich and powerful. By the mid-1600s, the House of Braganza was the most powerful family in all of Portugal. It was also one of the greatest families in the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal).

Braganzas Rule Brazil

The House of Braganza first became the ruling family of Brazil in 1815. This happened when the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil, and the Algarves was formed. This "United Kingdom" lasted until 1822.

In 1822, the Empire of Brazil became independent from Portugal. Prince Pedro of Braganza, who was next in line to the Portuguese throne, became the leader of the new Brazilian nation. He ruled as Emperor Pedro I of Brazil. He was also King Pedro IV of Portugal.

Until 1835, the Portuguese Braganzas could still become rulers of Brazil. The House of Braganza was removed from the Brazilian throne in 1889. This happened when Brazil became a republic, meaning it no longer had a monarch.

The House of Braganza continued to be the family with a claim to the Brazilian throne until 1921. This was when Isabel, Princess Imperial of Brazil, died. She was the daughter of Emperor Pedro II of Brazil. Her claim then passed to her son, Prince Pedro Henrique of Orléans and Braganza. This meant the House of Orléans-Braganza became the family claiming the former Brazilian monarchy.

The End of Braganza Rule in Portugal

In Portugal, King Carlos I of Portugal was killed in 1908. His oldest son was also killed in the attack. His younger son, Manuel II, then became king.

However, the Portuguese Republic was created in 1910. King Manuel II and the rest of the Braganza family had to leave the country and live in exile.

Famous Members of the House of Braganza

Maria I of Portugal: She was the first female monarch of Portugal. She is known for her suspected mental illness and for making Brazil a colony.
Mariana Victoria of Spain: She married a King of Portugal and was the mother of Queen Maria I.
Pedro II of Brazil: He was an Emperor of Brazil.

Images for kids

Afonso I, first Duke of Braganza and founder of the House of Braganza
Isabel of Braganza was the first to marry into the royal family. She was the wife of Infante João, Constable of Portugal.
The Palace of the Dukes, in Guimarães, was the main home of the House of Braganza from 1420.
Jaime I helped the Braganzas regain their power after his father was executed. He also built the Ducal Palace of Vila Viçosa.
João of Braganza, Marquis of Montemor-o-Novo led the Portuguese army to conquer Tangier in 1472.
Constantino of Braganza was the leader of Portuguese India and led the first Portuguese invasion of Sri Lanka.
In 1640, John IV of Portugal became the first Braganza to rule as King of Portugal. This started the Portuguese Restoration War.
Queen Catherine of Braganza was the wife of Charles II of England. She is often said to have brought tea-drinking to the English.
Queen Maria I became the first monarch of Brazil when the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves was created in 1815.
King-Emperor João VI's children divided the Braganzas into three groups: the Brazilian Imperial branch, the Portuguese Constitutional branch, and the exiled Miguelist branch.
Emperor-King Pedro I & IV helped Brazil become independent as Emperor of Brazil. He also won the Liberal Wars as King of Portugal.
Pedro II was the last Emperor of Brazil. He was removed from power when the Republic of Brazil was declared in 1889.
Isabel of Braganza, Princess Imperial of Brazil signed the Lei Áurea in 1888, which ended slavery in Brazil.
Manuel II was the last King of Portugal and the last Braganza to rule as a monarch.
D. Duarte Pio, Duke of Braganza, is the current head of the House of Braganza. He has been recognized as the person who would claim the Crown of Portugal since 1976.
Prince Bertrand of Orléans-Braganza is the Prince Imperial of Brazil. He speaks for his brother Prince Luiz of Orléans-Braganza, who has been the head of the Brazilian Imperial Family since 1981.
D. João II of Braganza – The first Braganza King of Portugal as King João IV.
D. Pedro I of Braganza – The first Emperor of Brazil and King of Portugal as Emperor-King Pedro I & IV.
The Sceptre of the Dragon.
Ajuda National Palace, Lisbon
Belém Palace, Lisbon
Buçaco Palace, Buçaco
Palace of the Carrancas, Porto
Ducal Palace, Vila Viçosa
Palace of the Dukes, Guimarães
Necessidades Palace, Lisbon
Imperial Palace of Petrópolis, Petrópolis
Mafra National Palace, Mafra
Pena National Palace, Sintra
Paço de São Cristóvão, Rio de Janeiro
Palace of Queluz, Sintra
Guanabara Palace, Rio de Janeiro
Sintra National Palace, Sintra
Paço Imperial, Rio de Janeiro