Rodrigo Afonso de Melo, 1st Count of Olivença


Rodrigo Afonso de Melo, 1st Count of Olivença was a Portuguese nobleman, son of Martim Afonso de Melo, Lord of Ferreira de Aves e Chief-Guard of king Edward of Portugal.
He was Lord of Ferreira de Aves, Arega and Quinta de Água de Peixes, he was also king Afonso V's Chief-Guard, as well as governor of Tangier, escorting the king to his expeditions to north Africa. He also participated in king's Afonso V expedition to conquer Arzila.
Rodrigo married, in 1457, Isabel de Menezes, and the couple had three daughter:
Rodrigo started to build the S. João Evangelista Convent, in Évora, which was concluded under his daughter Philippa supervision, due to the count's death. The convent is next to the Palace of the Dukes of Cadaval, Rodrigo's heirs.