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Portrait of John V of Portugal

John V of Portugal

Reign: 1706 – 1750
Life: 1689–1750

He was known as the Magnanimous. His reign saw the rise of Portugal and its monarchy to new levels of prosperity, wealth, and prestige among European courts. John V's reign saw an enormous influx of gold into the coffers of the royal treasury, supplied largely by the royal fifth (a tax on precious metals) that was received from the Portuguese colonies of Brazil and Maranhão. John spent lavishly on ambitious architectural works, most notably Mafra Palace, and on commissions and additions for his sizable art and literary collections.

During John V of Portugal's reign, Frederick William I of Prussia ruled Prussia, Kangxi Emperor ruled China, and Louis XV of France ruled France.

Want to learn more? Further reading

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

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Cover of A History of Portugal and the Portuguese Empire

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A History of Portugal and the Portuguese Empire

A. R. Disney

John V the Magnanimous, gold from Brazil, Baroque splendour, and papal favour.

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Conquerors: How Portugal Forged the First Global Empire
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Crowley on the age of exploration and the Portuguese kings who built the first oceanic empire.
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