John III of Portugal

1502 – 1557 · Generation IX · King of Portugal (r. 1521–1557)

John (1502 – 1557). King of Portugal (r. 1521–1557). Married Catherine in 1525. 'the Pious'; married Catherine of Austria. His reign stretched Portugal's empire to a truly global span: colonisation pushed forward in Brazil, the spice monopoly was secured, and the Treaty of Zaragoza of 1529 settled the rival Spanish claim to the Maluku Islands in Portugal's favour. Under him the Portuguese became the first Europeans to reach Japan and gained a foothold at Macau, while costly strongholds in North Africa were given up to pay for the defence of India. He established the Portuguese Inquisition in 1536, yet also sent students abroad on scholarships, patronised writers from Gil Vicente to Camões, and moved the kingdom's university permanently to Coimbra. All his children died young; only a grandson, Sebastian, lived to inherit.

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Partners

• Married Catherine of Austria, Queen of Portugal (1507 – 1578) in 1525

Life

• 1502 — Born
• 1525 — Married Catherine
• 1557 — Died