View source for Luís of Portugal, Duke of Beja

{{Infobox royalty
| name         = Luís of Portugal
| title        = [[Duke of Beja]]
| image        = Luís de Portugal, Duque de Beja.jpg
| caption      = Infante Luís in the ''Conquest of Tunis'' by [[Pieter Coecke van Aelst]]; {{circa|1535–1550}}
| spouse       =
| issue        = [[António, Prior of Crato]]
| house        = [[House of Aviz|Aviz]]
| father       = [[Manuel I of Portugal]]
| mother       = [[Maria of Aragon, Queen of Portugal|Maria of Aragon]]
| birth_date   = 3 March 1506
| birth_place  = [[Abrantes]], [[Kingdom of Portugal]]
| death_date   = {{Death date and age|df=y|1555|11|27|1506|3|3}}
| death_place  = [[Marvila, Lisbon]], Kingdom of Portugal
| burial_date  =
| burial_place =
}}
'''Infante Luís of Portugal, Duke of Beja''' (3 March 1506 &ndash; 27 November 1555) was the second son of King [[Manuel I of Portugal]] and his second wife, [[Maria of Aragon, Queen of Portugal|Maria of Aragon]]. He participated in the [[Conquest of Tunis (1535)|Conquest of Tunis]].
==Early life==
[[Image:Príncipe D. Luís, duque de beja.jpg|thumb|left|Luís in the ''Triptych of the Infantes''; by the [[Master of Lourinhã]], 1516]]
Born in [[Abrantes]] on 3 March 1506, Luís was the fourth child of [[Manuel I of Portugal|Manuel I]] and [[Maria of Aragon, Queen of Portugal|Maria of Aragon]].<ref>{{harvnb|McMurdo|1889|p=114}}; {{harvnb|Sanceau|1970|p=143}}</ref> His godparents were his aunt [[Isabel of Viseu]], and his cousins [[Jaime, Duke of Braganza]], and João de Almeida, 2nd [[Count of Abrantes]].{{sfn|Valentim|2006|p=6}}
Luís displayed exceptional intelligence and enthusiasm for learning from a young age.<ref>{{harvnb|Sanceau|1970|p=143}}; {{harvnb|Pereira|Rodrigues|1904|page=573}}</ref> Under the guidance of [[Pedro Nunes]],{{efn|The timeframe during which Luís was taught by Nunez is uncertain, but some sources speculate that the lessons took place between 1526 and 1531.<ref>{{cite journal |journal=Cadernos de Estudos Sefarditas |year=2003|first=Henrique |last= Leitão |title=Para uma biografia de Pedro Nunes: O surgimento de um matemático, 1502-1542 |page=73 |publisher=Cátedra de Estudos Sefarditas Alberto Benveniste |number=3|language=Portuguese|url=http://www.catedra-alberto-benveniste.org/_fich/15/HENRIQUE_LEITAO.pdf}}</ref>}} he excelled in philosophy, mathematics, and astronomy.<ref>{{harvnb|Pereira|Rodrigues|1904|page=573}}; {{harvnb|Deswarte-Rosa|1991|p=246}}</ref> He was educated alongside [[João de Castro]] and the two became lifelong intimate friends.{{sfn|Stephens|1891|p=211}} Luís's amiable nature earned him both admiration among the nobility and widespread popularity among the people, standing out as an educated, affable, and jovial prince in stark contrast to his more somber older brother, [[John III of Portugal|John III]].{{sfn|Pereira|Rodrigues|1904|page=573}}
==Duke of Beja==
Luís was granted the title of Duke of Beja on 5 August 1527,{{sfn|Carvalhal|2013|p=537}} as well as possession of several parishes and municipalities that spanned [[Beira (Portugal)|Beira]] and [[Alentejo]].{{sfn|Carvalhal|2013|p=539}} He also held the titles of Constable of the Kingdom (Portuguese: ''Condestável do Reino'') and [[Prior (ecclesiastical)|Prior]] of the [[Sovereign Military Order of Malta|Order of Saint John of Jerusalem]], with its Portuguese headquarters in the town of [[Crato, Portugal|Crato]].{{sfn|Pereira|Rodrigues|1904|page=573}}  Previously reliant on the crown, Luís's newfound territorial holdings afforded him a measure of economic autonomy. His estates expanded following the death of the [[Beatriz de Meneses, 2nd Countess of Loulé|Countess of Marialva]] in 1537,{{efn|Luís's brother, [[Infante Ferdinand, Duke of Guarda|Infante Ferdinand]], was married to the daughter of the Countess. Following the passing of Ferdinand and his wife in 1534 without any surviving issue, the Countess bequeathed her entire estate to Luís.}} making his household the most extensive in Portugal, in terms of revenues and dependents, second only to John III's.<ref>{{harvnb|Carvalhal|2013|p=540}}; {{harvnb|Valentim|2006|p=10}}</ref>
===Conquest of Tunis===
In the [[Conquest of Tunis (1535)]], Luís fought at the side of his brother-in-law [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V]].<ref>{{cite book |title=The Emperor Charles V: The Growth and Destiny of a Man and of a World-empire
|translator-first= C.V. |translator-last= Wedgwood |first=Karl |last=Brandi |author-link=Karl Brandi
|publisher=Harvester Press |year=1980 |page=365 |url=https://archive.org/details/emperorcharlesvg0000bran_i1l3/page/364/mode/2up}}; {{harvnb|Stephens|1891|p=179}}</ref> Charles specifically requested the Portuguese galleon ''São João Baptista'', also known as ''[[Botafogo (galleon)|Botafogo]]'', which was the most powerful ship in the world at the time, boasting 366 bronze cannons.{{sfn |Pereira|Rodrigues|1904|page=573}} Luís played a crucial role in the campaign by orchestrating a strategic maneuver with the ''Botafogo'' [[spur ram]] that successfully broke the defensive chains at [[La Goletta]], allowing the Christian allied fleet to access and conquer [[Tunis]].<ref>{{cite book |title= O Panorama |year=1841 |volume=5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OTQ9AQAAIAAJ&pg=PA384 |page=384}}; {{harvnb|Pereira|Rodrigues|1904|page=573}}</ref> His actions gained him international eminence.{{sfn|Valentim|2006|p=8}}
===Patronage===
Luís, a poet himself, was a prominent supporter of the arts and literature, recognized for his patronage of intellectuals and a particular affection for poetry and theater.<ref>{{cite web |title=PRÉMIO "INFANTE D. LUIS ÀS ARTES" - SALVATERRA DE MAGOS |url=https://www.cm-salvaterrademagos.pt/autarquia/camara/item/1924-premio-infante-d-luis-as-artes-salvaterra-de-magos |website=Salvaterra de Magos Municipo |access-date=11 January 2024}}; {{harvnb|Pereira|Rodrigues|1904|page=574}}; {{harvnb|Deswarte-Rosa|1991|p=275}}</ref> In later life, the Infante dedicated himself to religious matters.{{sfn|Carvalhal|2013|p=541}} In addition to acting as a patron for the [[Jesuits]],<ref>{{cite book |last1=Newitt |first1=M. D. D |title=A history of Portuguese Overseas Expansion, 1400-1668 |date=2005 |publisher=Routledge |location=New York |url=https://archive.org/details/historyofportugu0000newi |page=131 |access-date=25 October 2023}}</ref> he founded several convents and monasteries.{{sfn |Pereira|Rodrigues|1904|page=574}} In 1542, after receiving [[Salvaterra de Magos]] from his brother, Luís constructed a [[Royal Palace of Salvaterra de Magos|palace]] with sumptuous gardens.<ref>{{cite book |author= Joaquim Manuel da Silva Correia e Natália Brito Correia Guedes |year=2017 |title= O Paço Real de Salvaterra de Magos (2ª Edição) |publisher= Livros Horizonte |location=Lisbon |pages=272 |isbn= 978-9722407236 }}</ref>
===Family===
Despite his grave concerns about the longevity of the [[House of Aviz]],{{sfn|Deswarte-Rosa|1991|pages=268-271}}{{efn|In 1540, a series of premature deaths resulted in [[Henry, King of Portugal|Infante Henry]] (who was bound by ecclesiastical vows), Luís, and the ailing [[João Manuel, Prince of Portugal|Crown Prince João]] emerging as the sole male-line relatives preceding foreign princes in the line of succession to the [[List of Portuguese monarchs|Portuguese throne]].{{sfn|Deswarte-Rosa|1991|p=267}}}} Luís never married. For years there were efforts to arrange his marriage with [[Henry VIII]] and [[Catherine of Aragon]]'s daughter Mary, the future [[Mary I of England]], but the princess instead married [[Philip II of Spain|Philip II]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Armstrong |first=Edward |volume=II |year=1902 |title=The Emperor Charles V |url=https://archive.org/details/emperorcharlesv00armsgoog |pages=18,278 |publisher=Macmillan |location=London, New York}}</ref> Other suggested brides included [[Christina of Denmark]], [[Hedwig Jagiellon, Electress of Brandenburg|Hedwig Jagiellon]], and his niece [[Maria Manuela, Princess of Portugal|Maria Manuela of Portugal]].{{sfn |Pereira|Rodrigues|1904|page=574}}
Luís had a natural son by Violante Gomes, nicknamed ''Pelicana'',{{sfn|Stephens|1891|p=281}} a New Christian.{{sfn|Valentim|2006|p=8}} Their son [[António, Prior of Crato]], would be one of the claimants to the throne after the death of King [[Sebastian of Portugal]] in the disastrous [[Battle of Alcácer Quibir]] and the subsequent [[1580 Portuguese succession crisis|dynastic crisis]] that followed,{{sfn|Valentim|2006|p=7}} and, according to some historians, the last King of Portugal before the [[Iberian Union]].<ref>{{harvnb|Deswarte-Rosa|1991|p=245}}</ref>
==Death==
In November 1555, Luís fell seriously ill in Salvaterra and was brought to court.{{sfn |Pereira|Rodrigues|1904|page=574}} He died within a few days, on 27 November 1555, and was buried in the [[Jerónimos Monastery|Convent of Belém]] next to his brother, [[Cardinal-Infante Afonso of Portugal|Infante Afonso]].{{sfn|Valentim|2006|p=11}}
==Ancestry==
{{ahnentafel
|collapsed=yes |align=center
|boxstyle_1=background-color: #fcc;
|boxstyle_2=background-color: #fb9;
|boxstyle_3=background-color: #ffc;
|boxstyle_4=background-color: #bfc;
|1= 1. '''Louis, Duke of Beja'''
|2= 2. [[Manuel I of Portugal]]
|3= 3. [[Maria of Aragon (1482-1517)|Maria of Aragon]]
|4= 4. [[Ferdinand, Duke of Viseu]]<ref name="1911-Emanuel I">{{cite EB1911 |wstitle=Emanuel I. |volume=9}}</ref>
|5= 5. [[Beatriz, Duchess of Viseu|Beatrice of Portugal]]<ref name="1911-Emanuel I"/>
|6= 6. [[Ferdinand II of Aragon]]<ref name="Liss">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_krkCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT11 |title=Isabel the Queen: Life and Times |last=Liss |first=Peggy K. |date=2015-11-10 |publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press |isbn=9780812293203 |pages=11 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
|7= 7. [[Isabella I of Castile]]<ref name="Liss"/>
|8= 8. [[Edward, King of Portugal|Edward I of Portugal]]<ref name="Stephens1903">{{harvnb|Stephens|1891|p=139}}</ref>
|9= 9. [[Eleanor of Aragon, Queen of Portugal|Eleanor of Aragon]]<ref name="Stephens1903"/>
|10= 10. [[John, Constable of Portugal]]<ref name="Liss"/>
|11= 11. [[Isabel of Barcelos]]<ref name="Liss"/>
|12= 12. [[John II of Aragon and Navarre|John II of Aragon]]<ref name="1911-Ferdinand">{{cite EB1911 |wstitle=Ferdinand V. of Castile and Leon and II. of Aragon |volume=10}}</ref>
|13= 13. [[Juana Enríquez]]<ref name="1911-Ferdinand"/>
|14= 14. [[John II of Castile]]<ref name="Britannica295037">{{Britannica|295037|Isabella I, Queen of Spain}}</ref>
|15= 15. [[Isabella of Portugal, Queen of Castile|Isabella of Portugal]]<ref name="Britannica295037"/>
}}
==See also==
*[[Duke of Beja]]
*[[Conquest of Tunis (1535)]]
*[[Botafogo (galleon)]]
*[[João de Sá Panasco]]
*[[Descendants of Manuel I of Portugal]]
==Notes==
{{notelist}}
==References==
{{reflist}}
==Bibliography==
*{{cite book |last=Carvalhal |first=Hélder |year=2013 |editor-last=Serrano|editor-first=Eliseo|title=De la tierra al cielo. Líneas recientes de investigación en Historia Moderna|trans-title="From Earth to Heaven. Recent Lines of Research in Modern History|publisher=Institución Fernando el Católico |location=Zaragoza |language=Portuguese |pages=535–542 |isbn=978-84-9911-234-3|url=https://ifc.dpz.es/recursos/publicaciones/33/01/_ebook.pdf|chapter=A Casa Senhorial do Infante D. Luís e a Casa Real: Autonomia Parcial ou Subordinação Total?}}
*{{cite book |first=Sylvie |last=Deswarte-Rosa |author-link=Sylvie Deswarte-Rosa|title=Espoirs et désespoir de l'infant D. Luís |language=French |year=1991 |pages=241–298 |url=https://www.academia.edu/12491307}}
*{{cite book |last1=McMurdo |first1=Edward |title=The history of Portugal, from the Commencement of the Monarchy to the Reign of Alfonso III |date=1889 |publisher=Sampson Low, Marston, Searle, & Rivington|location=London |url=https://archive.org/details/historyportugal05mcmugoog/page/n10/mode/2up? |access-date=5 December 2023}}
*{{cite book |last1=Pereira |first1=Esteves |last2=Rodrigues |first2=Guilherme |title=Portugal: diccionario historico, chorographico, heraldico, biographico, bibliographico, numismatico e artistico |date=1904 |publisher=J. Romano Torres |location=Lisboa |pages=573–574|url=https://archive.org/details/portugaldicciona04pere/page/572/mode/2up|volume=IV |language=Portuguese}}
*{{cite book |last=Sanceau |first=Elaine |date=1970 |title=Reign of the Fortunate King, 1495–1521: Manuel I of Portugal |location=Hamden, Conn. |publisher=Archon Books |isbn=0-2080096-8-X |url=https://archive.org/details/reignoffortunate0000sanc}}
*{{cite book |last1=Stephens |first1=H. Morse |title=The Story of Portugal |author-link=Henry Morse Stephens|date=1891 |publisher=G. P. Putnam's Sons |location=New York |url=https://archive.org/details/storyofportugal00step/page/n7/mode/2up? |access-date=5 December 2023}}
*{{cite book |title=O Infante D. Luís (1506-1555) e a Investigação do Mar no Renascimento
|first=Carlos Baptista |last=Valentim |year=2006 |location=Lisbon |publisher=Academia de Marinha |url=https://www.academia.edu/20713777}}
*{{cite book |title=Nobreza de Portugal e do Brasil |volume=I |pages=382–384 |publisher=Zairol Lda. |language=Portuguese|location=Lisbon |year=1989}}
{{Portuguese infantes}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Luis, Duke Of Beja, Infante}}
[[Category:1506 births]]
[[Category:1555 deaths]]
[[Category:House of Aviz]]
[[Category:Dukes of Beja|105]]
[[Category:Portuguese infantes]]
[[Category:Portuguese Roman Catholics]]
[[Category:People from Abrantes]]
[[Category:16th-century Portuguese people]]
[[Category:Sons of kings]]