John I of Portugal

Full Name: John I of Portugal also called John of Aviz
Profession: King of Portugal

Nationality:

Biography: The reign of the Medieval king King John I (1385-1433), founder of the Aviz dynasty, for 48 years is the longest of any Portuguese monarch. Born the illegitimate son of King Peter I, he was created king to thwart the ambitions of the state of Castile, hoping to annex Portugal, and who claimed succession through Beatrice, daughter of previous monarch Ferdinand and consort of King John I of Castile.

An alliance between Portugal and England saw Portugal see off a combined Castile and French attack at the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385. John I later married Philippa of Lancaster, the daughter of English kingmaker John of Gaunt. The couple went on to have eight children, often named "the illustrious generation" including Edward who succeeded his father and Henry the Navigator, responsible for steering the country's 'Age of Discovery'.

Under John I, Portugal began its age of exploration, establishing Ceuta as an outpost and discovering the Madeira Islands and the Azores.

Born: April 11, 1357
Birthplace: Lisbon, Portugal
Star Sign: Aries

Died: August 14, 1433 (aged 76)
Cause of Death: Natural causes