History of Afonso V of Portugal

Afonso V of Portugal, also known as "Afonso the African" due to his military campaigns in North Africa, was a significant figure in Portuguese history, reigning as king from 1438 to 1481. His reign was marked by a mix of consolidation of power within the country, expansionist policies, and intricate involvement in the politics of the Iberian Peninsula, which contain crucial episodes that reveal both his ambitions and the challenges he faced as a ruler.

Born on January 15, 1432, in Sintra, Afonso V ascended to the throne at a young age, following the death of his father, King Duarte I of Portugal. Being only six years old at the time of his accession, Afonso's early reign was characterized by regency. Initially, his mother, Queen Eleanor of Aragon, assumed the regency. However, her foreign origins and unpopular decisions led to political instability, resulting in the regency being transferred to Afonso's uncle, Infante Peter, Duke of Coimbra, in 1440.

Peter's regency was a period of relative stability, during which he implemented numerous reforms and strengthened royal authority. However, tension brewed between him and other noble factions, notably Afonso's half-brother, the Infante John, and their cousin, the Duke of Braganza, who wielded significant influence due to their vast wealth and power. These tensions exploded after Afonso V came of age in 1448 and formally took power, as he was persuaded by the Duke of Braganza to annul Peter's reforms. The resulting conflict culminated in the Battle of Alfarrobeira in 1449, where Peter was killed, and the Duke of Braganza emerged as a dominant influence in Afonso's court.

As king, one of Afonso V's main objectives was the expansion of Portuguese influence overseas, particularly in Africa. His military campaigns in Morocco aimed at expanding and consolidating Portugal's presence, resulting in significant achievements, such as the capture of Alcácer Ceguer in 1458. This conquest marked Afonso as a formidable military leader and earned him the epithet "the African." These conquests were driven not just by the pursuit of glory and territorial expansion but also by economic interests, as controlling trade routes and resources in Africa was crucial for the kingdom's prosperity.

Apart from his African campaigns, Afonso V's reign was deeply intertwined with the politics of the Iberian Peninsula. His relationship with Castile was especially significant, as Castilian affairs directly affected Portuguese interests. The question of succession in Castile after the death of King Henry IV in 1474 led to the War of the Castilian Succession, in which Afonso V was a central player. Afonso married Henry IV's daughter, Joanna La Beltraneja, and claimed the throne of Castile on her behalf, challenging Queen Isabella I, who had married Ferdinand of Aragon.

The war between those supporting Isabella and Ferdinand and those backing Joanna and Afonso was marked by several notable battles, including the Battle of Toro in 1476. Although the battle itself was inconclusive in military terms, it was a strategic victory for Isabella and Ferdinand, who managed to consolidate their power while Afonso failed to gain definitive support in Castile. The Treaty of Alcáçovas, signed in 1479, ended the war, recognizing Isabella and Ferdinand as the rulers of Castile. In return, Afonso renounced his claims, and the treaty also delineated spheres of influence for Portuguese and Spanish explorations, with Portugal maintaining control over the Azores, Madeira, and the exclusive right to conquer territories south of the Canary Islands.

The latter part of Afonso V's reign saw a return to focus on domestic affairs and acknowledgment of Portugal's existing territories. Despite his imperial ambitions, the failure of the Castilian campaign had taught Afonso the importance of practicality in political dealings. He shifted his attention to securing the succession of his son, John II, and preserving internal stability.

Afonso’s personal life also impacted his political role. His marriages — first to his cousin Isabella of Coimbra, with whom he had Prince John, and later to Joanna La Beltraneja — were motivated by political strategy, though they were also personally significant. After the death of Isabella of Coimbra, Afonso's alliance with Joanna played both a familial and political role in the context of Iberian power struggles.

Afonso V died on August 28, 1481, leaving a legacy of complex politics, both in terms of foreign policy marked by military campaigns in Africa and involvement in Castilian affairs, and domestic policy shaped by the evolving power dynamics within Portugal. His reign set the stage for the continued Age of Discoveries under his successors, illustrating the intricate interplay of military ambition and political acumen in crafting Portugal's historical trajectory. His son, John II, would inherit a more stable throne, ready to advance the ambitions Afonso had strived towards both at home and abroad.