Miguel I of Portugal

Reign: 1828 – 1834
Life: 1802–1866

Following his exile as a result of his actions in support of absolutism in the April Revolt (Abrilada) of 1824, Miguel returned to Portugal in 1828 as regent and fiancé of his niece who was Queen Maria II. As regent, he claimed the Portuguese throne in his own right, since according to the so-called Fundamental Laws of the Kingdom his older brother Pedro IV and therefore the latter's daughter had lost their rights from the moment that Pedro had made war on Portugal and become the sovereign of a foreign state (Brazilian Empire). This led to a difficult political situation, during which many people were killed, imprisoned, persecuted or sent into exile, and which culminated in the Portuguese Liberal Wars between authoritarian absolutists and progressive constitutionalists. In the end, Miguel was forced out from the throne and lived the last 32 years of his life in exile.

During Miguel I of Portugal's reign, William I of the Netherlands ruled Netherlands, Frederick William III of Prussia ruled Prussia, and Francis I of Austria ruled Austria.

Want to learn more? Further reading

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

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