The Renaissance

tuguese explorers traveled to Brazil, dis-
covered routes across the Indian Ocean,
and staked Portuguese claims in India. The
style of Portuguese architecture known as
Manueline was named after this illustrious
king. Under Joao III, called the Grocer
King, Portugal sent missions to China and
Japan, colonized Brazil, and secured a mo-
nopoly in the rich trade of cloves, nutmeg,
and cinnamon from the East Indies. Joao’s
successor Sebastian I died fighting in Mo-
rocco in 1578.

Sebastian never married and died
without an heir, the vacancy leading to a

violent struggle over the throne of Portu-

gal. Anthony, grandson of Manuel I,

claimed his right to inherit the throne in

1580 but was opposed by Philip II, king of

Spain and a member of the Habsburg dy-

nasty. Philip defeated Anthony at the Battle

of Alcantara, after which Anthony re-

treated to the Azores Islands and Philip

assumed power, ending the reign of the

House of Aviz. Until 1640 Portugal and

Spain would be united under the rule of

the Habsburgs.

SEEALSO: Henry the Navigator; Manuel I;

Philip II; Portugal

Aviz, House of