John III of Portugal

John III of Portugal, the Pious (Port. o Piedoso), (Portuguese João III) (June 6, 1502 – June 11, 1557) was the fifteenth king of Portugal. Born in Lisbon, he was the son of King Manuel I of Portugal by his wife, Maria of Aragon, princess of Spain. João III succeeded his father in 1521.

John III succeeded to the crown at a time when Portugal was at the height of its political power, and Lisbon in a position of commercial importance previously unknown. The Asian possessions were extended by further conquest, and systematic colonization of Brazil was begun.

John, unfortunately for his dominions, became subservient to the clerical party among his subjects and the Inquisition was introduced in 1536. The consequences were disastrous to the commercial and social prosperity of his kingdom. Portugal was falling into the stagnation that characterized the reign of Sebastian I, who succeeded him.

He died of apoplexy in Lisbon.

João's descendants

• From his wife, Catherina Habsburg, princess of Spain (1507-1578)
  • Afonso (1526)
  • Maria Manuela, princess of Portugal (1527-1545), the first wife of King Philip II of Spain. She had one deformed child, Don Carlos, and died at his birth.
  • Isabel (1529)
  • Beatrice (1530)
  • Manuel (1531-1537), heir in 1535
  • Philip (1533-1539), heir in 1537
  • Dinis (1535-1537)
  • João, prince of Portugal (1537-1554), heir in 1539, who married Juana Habsburg, princess of Spain. Their son became King Sebastian I
  • António (1539-1540)

See also: Kings of Portugal family tree