John II of Portugal reverts to the policy of matrimonial alliances with Castile and friendship with England.

Finding, as he said, that the liberality of former kings had left the Crown "no estates except the high roads of Portugal," he determines to crush the feudal nobility and seize its territories.

The Portuguese Cortes held at Évora in 1481 empowers judges nominated by the Crown to administer justice in all feudal domains.

The nobles resist this infringement of their rights; but their leader, Fernando II, Duke of Braganza, is beheaded for high treason in 1483.