Maria I of Portugal
Maria I (English: Mary I) (17 December 1734 – 20 March 1816) was the Queen of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves. Known as Maria the Pious (in Portugal), or Maria the Mad (in Brazil), she was the first undisputed Queen (in her own right) of Portugal. Her court, then under the direction of her eldest son and heir Dom João, the Prince Regent, moved to the then Portuguese colony of Brazil. Later on, Brazil would be elevated from the rank of a colony to that of a Kingdom. This led to the formation of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves.
| Maria I | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 D. Maria I by Miguel António do Amaral, 1777 | |||||
| Queen of Portugal and the Algarves later Queen of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil, and the Algarves | |||||
| Reign | 24 February 1777 – 20 March 1816 | ||||
| Predecessor | Joseph I | ||||
| Successor | John VI | ||||
| Regent | João, Prince Regent (1792–1816) | ||||
| Born | 17 December 1734 Ribeira Palace, Lisbon Kingdom of Portugal | ||||
| Died | 20 March 1816 (aged 81) Rio de Janeiro, Kingdom of Brazil | ||||
| Burial | Estrela Basilica, Lisbon, Portugal | ||||
| Spouse | Peter III of Portugal | ||||
| Issue details... | José, Prince of Brazil John VI of Portugal Infanta Mariana Victoria | ||||
| |||||
| House | House of Braganza | ||||
| Father | Joseph I of Portugal | ||||
| Mother | Mariana Victoria of Spain | ||||
| Religion | Roman Catholic | ||||
Early life
changeMaria was born at the Ribeira Royal Palace in Lisbon. On the day of her birth, her grandfather, King João V, created her the Princess of Beira. She was the eldest of all her four siblings.
When her father succeeded to the throne in 1750 as José I, Maria became his heiress presumptive and was given the traditional titles of Princess of Brazil and Duchess of Braganza. She was also an Infanta of Portugal from birth and thus entitled to the style of Royal Highness. She grew up during the dominating Marquis of Pombal[a]
Marriage
changeIn 1760 Maria married her uncle Pedro, younger brother of her father Jose I.[1] They had six children, of whom the eldest surviving son succeeded Maria as João VI on her death in 1816.
Titles and Styles
change- 17 December 1734 – 31 July 1750 Her Royal Highness The Princess of Beira, Duchess of Barcelos
- 31 July 1750 – 24 February 1777 Her Royal Highness The Princess of Brazil, Duchess of Braganza
- 24 February 1777 – 16 December 1815 Her Most Faithful Majesty The Queen of Portugal and the Algarves
- 16 December 1815 – 20 March 1816 Her Most Faithful Majesty The Queen of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves
Notes
change- ↑ A noble man who later went on to rule the Kings political decisions as well as having much influence over the royal family
References
change- ↑ António Henrique R. de Oliveira Marques, History of Portugal: From Lusitania to empire (New York: Columbia University Press, 1972), p. 424