The Braganzas

The Rise and Fall of the Ruling Dynasties of Portugal and Brazil, 1640–1910

Malyn Newitt

• Publisher: Reaktion Books
• Year: 2019
• Print ISBN:
  9781789141252
• eBook ISBN:
  9781789141658
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: European History
• Index: History

For 270 years, the House of Braganza provided the kings and queens of Portugal. During a period of momentous change, from 1640 to 1910, this influential family helped to establish Portuguese independence from their powerful Spanish neighbours. They ruled the vast empire of Brazil from 1822 to 1889, successfully creating a unified nation and preventing the country from splitting into small warring states, and they saved the monarchy and government from total destruction by the marauding armies of Napoleon.
In his fascinating reappraisal of the Braganza dynasty, Malyn Newitt traces the rise and fall of one of the world's most important royal families. He introduces us to a colourful cast of innovators, revolutionaries, villains, heroes and charlatans, from the absolutist Dom Miguel to the 'Soldier King' Dom Pedro I, and recounts in vivid detail the major social, economic and political events that defined their rule. Featuring an extensive selection of artworks and photographs, Newitt offers a timely look at Britain's 'oldest ally' and the role of monarchy in the early modern European world.

Table of contents

• Front Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• Preface
• 1 The Idea of Monarchy and the Rise and Fall of the Dynastic State
• 2 The Early History of the Portuguese Monarchy
• 3 Overview of the Braganza Dynasty and the Culture of Royalty
• 4 The Rise of the Braganza Ducal Family and the Reign of D. João IV
• 5 The Children of D. João IV
• 6 D. João V: The Golden Age
• 7 D. José: The Reformer
• 8 D. Maria I and D. Pedro III
• 9 D. João VI: The Merciful
• 10 D. Pedro and D. Miguel
• 11 The Constitutional Monarchs: D. Maria II, D. Fernando and their Sons, D. Pedro V and D. Luís
• 12 The Twilight of the Gods: D. Carlos and D. Manuel
• 13 D. Pedro II, Emperor of Brazil
• DYNASTIC TREE
• GLOSSARY
• REFERENCES
• BIBLIOGRAPHY
• ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
• PHOTO ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
• INDEX