From the Early Stages of the Maritime Expansion to the Rising of the Empire
The conflict of interests between the nobility, the merchants and the crown, mirroring the rebellions and internal wars involved in John I ascending the throne, to some extent initiated the movement of the discoveries, in itself an attempt to solve the situation of poverty and famine felt in the kingdom.
The first major moment of the overseas adventure occurred in 1415, with the taking of .
Under the guidance of Prince Henry the Navigator, was reached in 1433, and with Afonso V the seafaring adventure changed its course, with an attempt to conquer.
It was during the reign of John II what the discovery of the seaway to was prepared. In 1488, already in the reign of Manuel I, Vasco da Gama reached . In 1515 was already a great Empire in the East, with bases in the cities of Gôa, Ormuz and Malacca. Around 1530 the colonization of started.
Second Dynasty (House of Aviz)
John I the Prince of Fond Memory, reigned from 1385 to 1433
Edward the Eloquent, reigned from 1433 to 1438
Afonso V the African, reigned from 1438 to 1481
John II the Perfect Prince, reigned from 1481 to 1495
Manuel I the Fortunate, reigned from 1495 to 1521
John III the Pious, reigned from 1521 to 1557
Sebastian the Desired, reigned from 1557 to 1578
Henry the Cardinal-king, reigned from 1578 to 1580
António the Prior of Crato, reigned in 1580 (only one month)