John II of Portugal (r. 1481–1495): The Subjugation of the Nobility and the Triumph of the Crown

When John II of Portugal ascended the throne in 1481, the House of Bragança and its noble allies had reached the height of their power, dominating the Portuguese state and rivaling the authority of the Crown. However, unlike his father, Afonso V, John II was a decisive and ruthless monarch who sought to reassert royal supremacy over the nobility, reshaping the political structure of Portugal for generations.

The Cortes of Évora (1481–1482): Strengthening Royal Power

• Upon taking the throne, John II convened a cortes at Évora, where he introduced sweeping reforms to weaken the power of the nobility.
• The nobles were forced to swear a new written oath, pledging to surrender any castles or towns they held from the Crown.
• Commoners complained about abuses by the nobility, including:
  • Private justice (where noble lords acted as independent rulers in their territories).
  • Corrupt tax collection practices that burdened the peasantry.
• In response, John II ordered an investigation into noble estates, requiring:
  • All nobles to present their titles of privilege for review.
  • Royal constables to inspect their territories for administrative abuses.

These measures were direct attacks on aristocratic privilege, setting the stage for conflict between the Crown and the nobility.

The Conspiracy of the Duke of Bragança and His Execution (1483–1484)

• Fernando II, Duke of Bragança, head of the most powerful noble house in Portugal, led a noble conspiracyagainst the king.
• He sought support from John II of Castile, planning to undermine John II’s rule.
• However, John II uncovered the treasonous correspondence, leading to:
  • Fernando’s arrest and trial in Évora.
  • A swift conviction for treason and his execution by beheading on June 29, 1484, in the main square of Évora.
• The king confiscated the Bragança estates, effectively dismantling their territorial power.
• Other conspirators were also executed, imprisoned, or forced into exile.

The Duke of Viseu’s Conspiracy and the Final Blow to the Nobility (1484–1485)

• A second plot emerged, this time led by Diogo, Duke of Viseu, another powerful noble with royal connections.
• The conspiracy was quickly discovered, and John II personally intervened to eliminate the threat.
• In Setúbal, the duke of Viseu was killed—possibly by the king’s own hand, in a direct demonstration of royal authority.

The Supremacy of the Crown Over the Nobility

With the House of Bragança crushed and the Duke of Viseu eliminated, John II had firmly established royal supremacy:

• The nobility’s independent power was destroyed, ensuring that no noble house could challenge the Crown again.
• Portugal transitioned into a centralized monarchy, with the king as the absolute ruler.
• The confiscation of noble lands allowed the Crown to expand its wealth and resources, strengthening Portugal’s imperial ambitions and exploration efforts.

John II’s brutal but effective policies laid the groundwork for Portugal’s golden age, ensuring that the kingdom remained a strong, centralized, and dominant power on the world stage.