Francisco de Paula Vieira da Silva de Tovar e Nápoles, 11th Lord of the Honour of Molelos, 1st Baron and 1st Viscount of Molelos (1774–1852) was a Portuguese

military officer An officer is a person who holds a position of authority as a member of an armed force or uniformed service. Broadly speaking, "officer" means a commissioned officer, a non-commissioned officer, or a warrant officer. However, absent context ...

and

politician A politician is a person active in party politics, or a person holding or seeking an elected office in government. Politicians propose, support, reject and create laws that govern the land and by an extension of its people. Broadly speaking, a ...

. He is best known for his role in the Portuguese invasion of the Banda Oriental, under the reign of king John VI, as well as for his active participation in Portugal's resistance against the invading troops of

Napoleon Napoleon Bonaparte ; it, Napoleone Bonaparte, ; co, Napulione Buonaparte. (born Napoleone Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French military commander and political leader who ...

(1807–1810) and, towards the end of his life, for his support for the Absolutist or Traditionalist faction during the

Portuguese Civil War The Liberal Wars (), also known as the Portuguese Civil War (), the War of the Two Brothers () or Miguelite War (), was a war between liberal constitutionalists and conservative absolutists in Portugal over royal succession that lasted from 18 ...

, whose ranks he led as a

General A general officer is an Officer (armed forces), officer of highest military ranks, high rank in the army, armies, and in some nations' air forces, space forces, and marines or naval infantry. In some usages the term "general officer" refers t ...

. In 1862, exiled king Miguel I honoured him posthumously by creating his only surviving grandson, António Vieira de Tovar de Magalhães e Albuquerque, 1st

Count of Molelos Count (feminine: countess) is a historical title of nobility in certain European countries, varying in relative status, generally of middling rank in the hierarchy of nobility. Pine, L. G. ''Titles: How the King Became His Majesty''. New York: ...

. This title, however, was never legally validated, and his only daughter died an infant. The vicomital title was given continuity by the descendants of António's great-aunt Josefa Vieira da Silva de Tovar.

References

*Serrão, Manuel. ''História de Portugal'', Volume VII: ''A Instauração do Liberalismo (1807-1832)'' 1774 births 1848 deaths Lords of Molelos Barons of Molelos Viscounts of Molelos Portuguese military officers Portuguese nobility 18th-century Portuguese people 19th-century Portuguese people Military personnel of the Liberal Wars Portuguese military commanders of the Napoleonic Wars {{Portugal-noble-stub

See also

References