Fernando I, Duke of Braganza


Fernando I of Braganza was the 2nd Duke of Braganza and the 1st Marquis of Vila Viçosa, among other titles. He took part in the Portuguese conquests in North Africa and served as governor of different territories there.

Early Life and North African Conquest

Born in 1403, Fernando I was the son of Afonso, 1st Duke of Braganza and Beatriz Pereira de Alvim. When still a child, he received the title of 3rd Count of Arraiolos from his grandfather Nuno Alvares Pereira.
In 1432, young Fernando I was called upon by King John I of Portugal for consultation on a project, promoted by the King's son, Prince Henry the Navigator, to launch a campaign of conquest against the Marinid sultante of Morocco. Fernando advised against the project. When the project was raised again during the reign of King Edward of Portugal in 1436, Fernando reiterated his objections. Nonetheless, despite his opposition, King Edward appointed him as constable of the nobles for the 1437 expedition to seize Tangier. Although the expedition was under the overall command of his brother Prince Henry, King Edward felt that Fernando's military expertise was necessary to make up for his brother's inexperience.
After failing to conquer the city by assault, the Portuguese expeditionary army was surrounded and starved into submission by a Moroccan relief army. In return for being allowed to withdraw his troops unmolested, Henry agreed to a treaty to deliver Ceuta back to the Marinids. For the fulfillment of the treaty, Prince Henry handed over his own brother, Ferdinand the Saint Prince, as a hostage to the Moroccans.

Return to Portugal

Back in Portugal, Fernando I led the opposition to this treaty. At the Cortes of Leiria assembled by King Edward early in 1438, he rallied the nobles and took to the floor, urging them to refuse the surrender of Ceuta back to the Marinids. He claimed that the treaty was signed under duress and invalid. It was largely because of Fernando's energetic campaign that the Cortes rejected ratification and made known to the King to find some other way of securing his brother Prince Ferdinand's release.
Fernando I was nominated Governor of Ceuta from 1445 until 1450.
By royal decree dated from 25 May 1455, King Afonso V of Portugal granted Fernando I the new title of 1st Marquis of Vila Viçosa.
In 1458, Fernando I took part, along with his sons, in the expedition that conquered the Moroccan city of Alcácer Ceguer.
In 1460, as his older brother, Afonso, Marquis of Valença, died without legitimate issue, Fernando I became the 5th Count of Ourém and the House of Braganza's heir. One year later, following the death of his father in 1461, he also became the 2nd Duke of Braganza, 9th Count of Barcelos, 3rd Count of Neiva, and 3rd Count of Faria. He then established his seat at the primitive Castle of Vila Viçosa.
In 1471, when King Afonso V took to North Africa to conquer the city of Arzila, Fernando I remained in mainland Portugal as regent of the kingdom.

Marriage and Issue

Fernando I married on 28 December 1429,, Lady of Cadaval. They had nine children, of whom three were stillborn.
NameBirthDeathNotes
Fernando II of Braganza143020 June 14833rd Duke of Braganza, 2nd Marquis of Vila Viçosa, 1st Duke of Guimarães
João of Braganza143030 April 14841st Marquis of Montemor-o-Novo
Afonso of Braganza1435unknown1st Count of Faro
Álvaro of Braganza144015045th Lord of Ferreira, 4th Lord of Cadaval, 1st Senhor de Tentúgal
Antóniounknownunknownstillborn
Isabelunknownunknownstillborn
Beatriz of Braganza1440unknownMarried Pedro de Meneses, 1st Marquis of Vila Real
Guiomar of Braganza1450unknownMarried Henrique de Meneses, 4th Count of Viana do Alentejo
Catarinaunknownunknownstillborn

Ancestry