D. João of Braganza, Duke of Abrantes ''

jure uxoris ''Jure uxoris'' (a Latin phrase meaning "by right of (his) wife"), citing . describes a title of nobility used by a man because his wife holds the office or title '' suo jure'' ("in her own right"). Similarly, the husband of an heiress could beco ...

'' (12 June 1726 - 23 October 1780), more commonly known as João da Bemposta, was a legitimized natural son of Infante Francisco, Duke of Beja. A grandson of King

Pedro II of Portugal ''Dom (title), Dom'' Pedro II (Peter II; 26 April 1648 – 9 December 1706), nicknamed the Pacific (''Português:'' O Pacífico) was King of Portugal from 1683 until his death, previously serving as regent for his brother Afonso VI of Portugal, ...

, and thus a member of the

House of Braganza The Most Serene House of Braganza (), also known as the Brigantine dynasty (''dinastia Brigantina''), is a dynasty of emperors, kings, princes, and dukes of Portuguese people, Portuguese origin which reigned in Europe and the Americas. The hous ...

, João held various offices during the reigns of his uncle King João V and cousin Queen

Maria I ''Dom (title), Dona'' Maria I (Maria Francisca Isabel Josefa Antónia Gertrudes Rita Joana; 17 December 1734 – 20 March 1816) also known as Maria the Pious in Portugal and Maria the Mad in Brazil, was Queen of Portugal from 24 February 1777 ...

Life

João was born to the second surviving son of King Pedro II, the

Duke of Beja Duke of Beja () was an aristocratic Portuguese title and royal dukedom, associated with the Portuguese Royal House. List of dukes of Beja # Infante Fernando, 2nd Duke of Viseu (1433–1470), King Duarte I's third son (second surviving); # I ...

, and Mariana da Silveira, a nun. The popular name "da Bemposta" comes from his assuming residence at

Bemposta Palace The Bemposta Palace ('), also known as the ''Paço da Rainha'' (''Queen's Palace''), is a neoclassical palace in the area of Bemposta, now the civil parish of Pena, in Lisbon. It was originally built for Queen Dowager Catherine of Braganza on he ...

, the seat of the

House of the Infantado The House of the Infantado ( Portuguese: ''Casa do Infantado'') was an appanage for the second eldest son of the Portuguese monarch. History The House of the Infantado was created in 1654 by King John IV of Portugal from properties and riches c ...

, of which his father was the lord of. João was legitimized, by royal decree, by his uncle, King João V, on 26 May 1749. His uncle also issued a decree, on 19 May 1750, placing João in the

order of precedence An order of precedence is a sequential hierarchy of importance applied to individuals, groups, or organizations. For individuals, it is most often used for diplomats in attendance at very formal occasions. It can also be used in the context of ...

lower than the

Portuguese Royal Family The Most Serene House of Braganza (), also known as the Brigantine dynasty (''dinastia Brigantina''), is a dynasty of emperors, kings, princes, and dukes of Portuguese people, Portuguese origin which reigned in Europe and the Americas. The hous ...

, but above all other nobles. He served as a counselor of state and '' mordomo-mor'' (chamberlain of the royal household) for both his uncle King João V and his cousin Queen Maria I. He also served as Captain-General of the Royal Armada, the highest-ranking official of the Portuguese Navy, during the reign of Queen Maria. During the baptism of King

João VI '' Dom'' John VI (; 13 May 1767 – 10 March 1826), known as "the Clement" (), was King of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves from 1816 to 1825, and after the recognition of Brazil's independence, titular Emperor of Brazil ...

, he represented the baby's godfather, King

Louis XV of France Louis XV (15 February 1710 – 10 May 1774), known as Louis the Beloved (), was King of France from 1 September 1715 until his death in 1774. He succeeded his great-grandfather Louis XIV at the age of five. Until he reached maturity (then defi ...

Marriage

João married

Maria Margarida de Lorena, 2nd Duchess of Abrantes Maria Margarida de Lorena, Duchess of Abrantes (2 February 1713 – 1780) was the daughter of Dom Rodrigo de Mello (1688–1713), second child of Nuno Álvares Pereira de Melo, 1st Duke of Cadaval and of Ana Maria Catarina Henriqueta de Lorena, 1 ...

, on 20 February 1757. As the couple did not produce children, his wife's titles were inherited by her cousin, D. Pedro de Lancastre. {{DEFAULTSORT:João da Bemposta Portuguese admirals House of Braganza 1780 deaths 1726 births