John III of Portugal

Reign: 1521 – 1557
Life: 1502–1557

John succeeded his father in 1521 at the age of nineteen. During his rule, Portuguese possessions were extended in Asia and the Americas through the Portuguese colonization of Brazil. John III's policy of reinforcing Portugal's bases in India, such as Goa, secured Portugal's monopoly over the spice trade of cloves and nutmeg from the Maluku Islands. During his reign, the Portuguese became the first Europeans to contact Muromachi Japan.

During John III of Portugal's reign, Suleiman the Magnificent ruled Ottoman Empire, Henry VIII of England ruled England, and Jiajing Emperor of Ming ruled China.

Want to learn more? Further reading

A History of Portugal and the Portuguese Empire by A. R. Disney

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The World During Their Reign

The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.

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