The Battle of Alfarrobeira (1449): The Fall of Infante Pedro and the Rise of the House of Bragança

Following Afonso V’s assumption of full power in 1448, the Duke of Bragança successfully turned the young king against his uncle, Infante Pedro, Duke of Coimbra, claiming that Pedro was plotting to seize the throne. This manipulation led to Pedro’s dismissal from the regency and his exile to his estates.

Pedro’s Attempt to Regain Power

• As rumors of a plot against him spread, Pedro decided to resist rather than submit.
• He marched on Lisbon, where he enjoyed strong support from the merchants and populace.
• Afonso V, under the influence of the House of Bragança, declared Pedro a traitor and gathered an army to confront him.

The Battle of Alfarrobeira (May 24, 1449)

• Pedro’s army met the royalist forces, led by Afonso V and the Duke of Bragança, near Alfarrobeira, north of Lisbon.
• The battle was swift and decisive—Pedro was killed on the field, and his forces were crushed.
• The defeat eliminated the greatest advocate for strong royal authority, leaving Afonso V heavily influenced by the Bragança family.

Consequences of Pedro’s Defeat

1. The Rise of the House of Bragança

   • The House of Bragança emerged as the dominant noble house in Portugal, vastly increasing its land, wealth, and political influence.
   • The Braganças became "a state within a state", controlling vast territories and challenging the power of the monarchy.

2. Afonso V Becomes a Puppet of the Nobility

   • Without Pedro’s guidance, the pliable Afonso V fell under the control of the nobility, particularly the Braganças.
   • His reign was characterized by military adventures in Morocco and Castile, often influenced by aristocratic ambitions.

3. Weakening of Royal Centralization

   • Pedro’s defeat marked a victory for the aristocracy over royal authority.
   • The monarchy remained dependent on noble factions until later kings, such as John II (r. 1481–1495), took steps to curb noble power.

Legacy: The Path to Future Conflict

• The Battle of Alfarrobeira (1449) ensured the dominance of the House of Bragança, but it also set the stage for future confrontations between the Crown and the nobility.
• By the time John II ascended the throne in 1481, he saw the Braganças as a direct threat to the monarchy and took drastic measures to reduce their influence, culminating in the execution of the 3rd Duke of Bragança in 1483.

Thus, the Battle of Alfarrobeira was a turning point in Portuguese history, reinforcing aristocratic power at the expense of the Crown, but also laying the groundwork for future monarchical reforms and conflicts.

Henry, King John's fifth son, is now the first and only of the House of Aviz.

Mistrusted by King Afonso V and the Duke of Braganza's sons as a member of the House of Aviz, and mistrusted by his dead brother's friends who have never accepted his betrayal (and rejected by his old sister Isabella, in Burgundy), Henry retreats to his land in Sagres, the southernmost and westernmost tip of Portugal—and Europe.

Here, living a secluded and religious life, he will concentrate his efforts on the sailing expeditions of his men, becoming worldly renowned as discoverer of never before seen oceans and coasts (Madeira, Azores, the African coast to Guinea, and, after his death, Cape Hope, India, Japan, Canada, Brazil, etc.).

Following the ascension of Afonso V in 1448, the kingdom of Portugal fell into civil war, as tensions between Infante Peter, Duke of Coimbra, and Afonso, Duke of Braganza, erupted into armed conflict.

The Civil War: The Rival Factions

1. Infante Peter, Duke of Coimbra

   • Former regent of Portugal (1439–1448) and uncle of Afonso V.
   • Favored strong royal authority, centralization, and continued overseas expansion.
   • Supported by Lisbon’s merchants, the lower nobility, and the commoners.

2. Afonso, Duke of Braganza

   • Another uncle of Afonso V, representing the old, landowning aristocracy.
   • Opposed Peter’s policies, seeking to increase noble privileges.
   • Manipulated Afonso V into declaring Peter a traitor based on false accusations.

The First Engagement: Victory for Peter at Penela

• Peter’s forces initially defeated Braganza’s army at Penela, showing that he still commanded strong military support.
• However, Afonso V, siding with Braganza, mobilized a massive royal army of 30,000 troops, determined to eliminate Peter as a political threat.

The Battle of Alfarrobeira (May 20, 1449)

• The two armies met near the Alfarrobeira River, at Alverca, north of Lisbon.
• Peter’s forces were vastly outnumbered but fought fiercely.
• The battle was short, and Peter was killed early on—
  • Some sources say he died fighting.
  • Others claim he was assassinated by one of his own men.

Aftermath: The Triumph of the House of Braganza

• Afonso V consolidated power under Braganza’s influence, granting the duke new lands, privileges, and political authority.
• The House of Braganza became the most powerful noble family in Portugal, rivaling even the monarchy.
• Portugal shifted towards a government dominated by the aristocracy, slowing the Crown’s ability to centralize authority.

Long-Term Consequences

1. Weakened Royal Authority – The monarchy remained under noble control, delaying later reforms.
2. Braganza’s Dominance – The House of Braganza amassed vast wealth and influence, eventually challenging the Crown itself.
3. A Prelude to Future Conflicts – The battle set a precedent for noble interference in royal affairs, a trend later reversed by King John II (r. 1481–1495).

The Battle of Alfarrobeira (1449) marked a turning point in Portuguese history, securing the aristocracy’s dominance while eliminating one of Portugal’s most capable leaders, Infante Peter.