# Maria II of Portugal

> Queen of Portugal (r. 1826–1828; 1834–1853)

**Wikidata**: [Q221145](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q221145)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_II_of_Portugal)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/maria-ii-of-portugal

## Summary
Maria II of Portugal was the Queen of Portugal who reigned during two distinct periods: initially from 1826 to 1828, and subsequently from 1834 until her death in 1853. Known as "Maria II the Educator" and "Maria II the Good Mother," she was a member of the House of Bragança and held the distinction of being a human member of the species Homo sapiens.

## Biography
- **Born:** April 4, 1819
- **Died:** November 15, 1853
- **Nationality:** Portugal (Kingdom of Portugal); Brazil
- **Known for:** Reigning as Queen of Portugal (1826–1828; 1834–1853)
- **Full Name:** Maria da Glória Joana Carlota Leopoldina da Cruz Francisca Xavier de Paula Isidora Micaela Gabriela Rafaela Gonzaga
- **Field:** Monarchy, Governance

## Contributions
Maria II's primary contribution was her service as the sovereign of the Kingdom of Portugal. Her reign was characterized by two separate periods of rule:
*   **First Reign (1826–1828):** She initially ascended to the throne during a turbulent period in Portuguese history.
*   **Second Reign (1834–1853):** She restored her rule and served as Queen for nearly two decades until her death.

Her tenure is associated with the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Portugal and Algarves (1834 to 1910), marking the heraldic symbol of her reign. Additionally, the sailing frigate *Don Fernando II e Glória* of the Portuguese Navy (active 1843–1940) serves as a historical artifact connected to the era of her rule.

## FAQs
**What were Maria II's titles and aliases?**
She is referred to as Maria II the Educator and Maria II the Good Mother. Her full name was Maria da Glória Joana Carlota Leopoldina da Cruz Francisca Xavier de Paula Isidora Micaela Gabriela Rafaela Gonzaga.

**What awards did Maria II receive?**
Historical records indicate she received the Golden Rose, a papal award.

**What was Maria II's connection to Brazil?**
Maria II held citizenship in both the Kingdom of Portugal and Brazil. This connection reflects the historical ties between the two nations during the 19th century, a period when Brazil declared independence from Portugal on September 7, 1822.

## Why They Matter
Maria II matters as a central figure in Portuguese history during the mid-19th century. Her reign bridged the gap between the turbulent liberal wars and the stabilization of the Portuguese constitutional monarchy. Her epithet, "The Educator," suggests a legacy tied to the development of public instruction and modernization within Portugal. As a monarch with citizenship ties to both Portugal and Brazil, she represents a unique historical link between the European kingdom and its former South American colony during the formative years of the Empire of Brazil.

## Notable For
*   **Queen of Portugal:** Ruled during the periods 1826–1828 and 1834–1853.
*   **Epithets:** Known historically as "The Educator" and "The Good Mother."
*   **Golden Rose Recipient:** Received this notable papal honor.
*   **Heraldry:** Associated with the Coats of arms of the Kingdom of Portugal and Algarves (1834 to 1910).
*   **Biological Classification:** Classified as a human (Homo sapiens), the unique extant species of the genus Homo.
*   **Historical Context:** Reigned during the existence of the *Don Fernando II e Glória* frigate.

## Body
### Early Life and Identity
Maria II was born on April 4, 1819. Her full birth name was Maria da Glória Joana Carlota Leopoldina da Cruz Francisca Xavier de Paula Isidora Micaela Gabriela Rafaela Gonzaga. She was a member of the House of Bragança. As an individual, she is classified as a human, a member of the species *Homo sapiens*.

### Reign as Queen of Portugal
Maria II served as the Queen of Portugal during two non-consecutive periods. Her first reign began in 1826 and lasted until 1828. Following a period of political upheaval, she was restored to the throne in 1834 and ruled until her death on November 15, 1853. Her reign is symbolized by the Coats of arms of the Kingdom of Portugal and Algarves used between 1834 and 1910.

### Historical and Political Context
Maria II's life and reign occurred within the broader context of the Kingdom of Portugal, a kingdom in Southwestern Europe that existed from 1139 to 1910. Her tenure coincided with significant developments in the region, including the operations of the Portuguese Navy. Notably, the sailing frigate *Don Fernando II e Glória* was launched in 1843 during her reign and served until 1940.

Her historical timeline also intersects with the history of Brazil. Brazil, the largest country in South America, declared independence from Portugal on September 7, 1822, just a few years prior to Maria II's ascension. Historical records note her citizenship status included both Portugal and Brazil, reflecting the complex dynastic and political relationships of the era. Brazil operated as the Empire of Brazil following its independence.

### Recognition and Awards
During her lifetime, Maria II received the Golden Rose, a papal award associated with the country of the Holy See. Her legacy is preserved through various historical identifiers and signatures, including her signature documented as "Assinatura D. Maria II.svg."

### Legacy
Maria II is remembered by the epithets "Maria II the Educator" and "Maria II the Good Mother." She passed away on November 15, 1853, marking the end of her second reign. Her portrait, "Portrait of D. Maria II, Queen of Portugal," remains a part of the Google Art Project collection.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. [Source](http://www.ordens.presidencia.pt/?idc=154)
3. International Standard Name Identifier
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
6. Find a Grave
7. The Peerage
8. FemBio database
9. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. IdRef
12. Sejm-Wielki.pl