# John I of Portugal

> King of Portugal from 1385 to 1433

**Wikidata**: [Q201575](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q201575)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_I_of_Portugal)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/john-i-of-portugal

## Summary
John I of Portugal was the King of Portugal from 1385 until his death in 1433, serving as the first ruler of the House of Aviz. A pivotal politician and military leader, he is best known for securing Portuguese independence through the Battle of Aljubarrota and initiating the Portuguese Age of Discovery with the Conquest of Ceuta. His reign established a lasting dynasty and set the foundation for the Portuguese Empire.

## Biography
- **Born:** April 11, 1357
- **Nationality:** Kingdom of Portugal
- **Education:** [Data not available]
- **Known for:** Founding the House of Aviz, winning the Battle of Aljubarrota, and leading the Conquest of Ceuta
- **Employer(s):** Kingdom of Portugal
- **Field(s):** Government, Politics, Military Leadership

## Contributions
- **Battle of Aljubarrota (1385):** Commanded the Portuguese forces to victory in this decisive battle, which secured the throne and solidified the independence of the Kingdom of Portugal.
- **Conquest of Ceuta (1415):** Led the military campaign to capture the North African city of Ceuta. This event marked the inception of the Portuguese Empire on August 21, 1415, signaling the beginning of Portugal's global expansion.
- **House of Aviz:** Established the Portuguese royal dynasty known as the House of Aviz, which ruled the Kingdom of Portugal from 1385 until 1910.
- **Dynastic Succession:** Fathered Prince Henry the Navigator (born 1394), who became a central figure in the empire's development and the leadership of Ceuta.

## FAQs
**When did John I of Portugal reign?**
He reigned as King of Portugal from 1385 until his death on August 14, 1433.

**What battles was John I of Portugal involved in?**
He is notably associated with the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385 and the Conquest of Ceuta in 1415.

**What dynasty did John I of Portugal found?**
He founded the House of Aviz (Avis-167), the royal dynasty that ruled Portugal for over five centuries.

**Who was John I of Portugal's son?**
His son was Prince Henry the Navigator (Infante Dom Henrique), a key figure in the Conquest of Ceuta and the 1st Duke of Viseu.

**What awards did John I of Portugal receive?**
He received the Order of Christ, a former order of the Kingdom of Portugal instituted in 1318.

## Why They Matter
John I of Portugal is a foundational figure in European and global history because his reign marked the transition of Portugal from a contested kingdom to a unified imperial power. His victory at the Battle of Aljubarrota ended a succession crisis and established the House of Aviz, providing political stability that allowed for long-term growth. By leading the Conquest of Ceuta, he launched the Portuguese Empire, initiating the Age of Discovery that would reshape global trade and geography. Without his leadership, the trajectory of Portuguese exploration and the subsequent influence of figures like his son, Prince Henry the Navigator, would not have been possible.

## Notable For
- King of Portugal from 1385 to 1433.
- Founder and first monarch of the House of Aviz.
- Victory at the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385.
- Leadership in the Conquest of Ceuta in 1415.
- Initiating the Portuguese Empire (inception: 1415-08-21).
- Recipient of the Order of Christ.
- Epithet "O de Boa Memória" (The Good).
- Father of Prince Henry the Navigator.

## Body

### Identity and Lineage
John I of Portugal, also known as João I de Portugal and by the epithet "O de Boa Memória" (The Good), was a human member of the House of Aviz. He was a citizen of the Kingdom of Portugal, a sovereign kingdom in Southwestern Europe that existed from 1139 to 1910. Born on April 11, 1357, he established a lineage that included his son, Prince Henry the Navigator, who was born on March 4, 1394. John I's life concluded on August 14, 1433.

### Military and Political Career
As a politician and monarch, John I's primary occupation was governance and military leadership. He served the Kingdom of Portugal as its King. His career is historically defined by two major conflicts: the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385 and the Conquest of Ceuta in 1415. The Battle of Aljubarrota was a critical engagement that secured his position on the throne. Later, his leadership in the Conquest of Ceuta expanded Portuguese territory and influence into North Africa.

### The House of Aviz and Empire
John I is credited with founding the House of Aviz, a Portuguese dynasty that would rule the country for centuries. His reign coincided with the inception of the Portuguese Empire on August 21, 1415, a direct result of the Conquest of Ceuta. This period marked the beginning of Portugal's status as a global empire centered in Southwestern Europe.

### Associations and Awards
Throughout his life, John I maintained affiliations with notable figures of his time, including his son, Prince Henry the Navigator, who served as a military officer and governor under his reign. His service and status were recognized with the receipt of the Order of Christ, a former order of the Kingdom of Portugal instituted in 1318. His legacy is preserved through numerous historical records and identifiers, including his Wikidata entry and various library and museum archives.

## References

1. Source
2. The Peerage
3. International Standard Name Identifier
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. BnF authorities
6. OPAC SBN
7. SNAC
8. Find a Grave
9. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
10. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
11. Cronica dos gramdes e notavees feitos do illustre e muito nobre Sñor Dom Pedro de Meneses
12. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
13. Crónica da Tomada de Ceuta
14. CERL Thesaurus
15. [Source](https://encyklopedia.pwn.pl/haslo/Jan-I-Wielki;3916604.html)
16. Sejm-Wielki.pl
17. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands
18. HMML Authority File