Admiral of Portugal
Encyclopedia
The high office of Admiral of the Kingdom of Portugal (Portuguese
: Almirante do Reino de Portugal) as the head of the Portuguese navy
was created by King Denis of Portugal
in 1317 (or 1322) for the Genoese
nobleman and naval officer Manuel Pessanha
(Emanuele Pessagno). Although there is evidence that such a title existed before (e.g. Afonso I
appointed his half-brother Fuas Roupinho to the title in 1184), it seems to have been of only a temporary character, for fleets assembled in times of war. The exception was perhaps Nuno Fernandes Cogominho who seems to have been appointed admiral by King Denis in 1307, and still had that title at his death in 1316, although the conditions are unclear. Nonetheless, Manuel Pessanha was the first person known to hold the title of Almirante-mor (Chief Admiral) as a permanent office for a permanent fleet. All the king's galleys were under his jurisdiction. The conditions of the Pessanha's title stipulated that he must maintain a corps of at least 20 Genoese
naval officers at all times and was obliged to serve the king in military service on land as well as sea.
The office of Almirante-mor became a hereditary benefice in the Pessanha family - passing successively through his sons Carlos, Bertolomeu and Lançarote. After the disastrous handling of the Portuguese fleet in the blockade of Seville in 1369, Pessanha's son Lançarote Pessanha temporarily lost the admiral title to João Afonso Telo de Menezes (Count of Barcelos
), but was later restored by King Ferdinand of Portugal
. The title then passed on through Lançarote's sons Manuel II and then Carlos II, the last of the male line. Carlos II had no male heirs, but only two daughters (Genebra & Brites) and a niece (Catarina, daughter of his late brother Antonio, who had died at Aljubarrota
).
In 1433, the title of Admiral went as dowry
in the marriage of Genebra Pereira (daughter of Carlos II Pessanha) to D. Pedro de Menezes
. After Menezes death without issue in 1437, the title was passed on to Lançarote da Cunha (the young son of Carlos II Pessanha's other daughter, Brites Pereira), but the office was de facto exercised by Brites's husband, Rui de Mello da Cunha. Being pre-deceased by his son, Rui de Mello was appointed admiral de jure in 1453.
After Mello's death in 1467, the title passed to Nuno Vaz de Castelo Branco, king's chamberlain and son of Catarina Pessanha, who in turn passed in on to his own son Lopo Vaz de Castelo-Branco, c.1476. After the treason and assassination of Lopo Vaz de Castelo Branco, John II of Portugal
handed the title to Pedro de Albuquerque in 1483. But Albuquerque himself fell into intrigues and was soon deprived of the position.
In 1485, John II passed the title of admiral to Lopo Vaz de Azevedo, a knight of the Order of Aviz
(and a relative of the Pessanhas), and made it hereditary in the Azevedo family. That line having lost male issue by 1646, it was passed via female lines to D. Luis de Portugal, Count of Vimioso, and then after his death in 1660, it passed on by female line to the house of Castro (Counts of Resende).
Around 1373 (exact date uncertain), the King created the office of captain-major of the fleet (capitão-mor da frota), initially a complementary position, covering the command of the alto-bordo ('high-sided',or sail-powered) ships of the fleet, leaving the Admiral exclusively in charge of the oar-powered galleys. The first capitão-mor was Gonçalo Tenreiro. During the reign of John I of Portugal
, Tenreiro was succeeded Afonso Furtado de Mendonça (appointment date uncertain) and, in 1423, by Álvaro Vaz de Almada (Count of Avranches). The letter appointing Avranches designates a more extensive capitão-mor, covering the royal galleys and infringing on the traditional jurisdiction of the almirante-mor, thus suggesting that by this time, the title of almirante had become purely honorific, and the de facto high naval command had been absconded by the capitão-mor. However, the letter appointing Ruy de Mello da Cunha as 'admiral' in 1453 temporarily restored his authority, including the 'alto-bordo' ships. In 1460, the admiral was deprived of his jurisdiction over arraes (fishing boats), which were passed to local councils.
The title of 'Admiral' was made more specific with the establishent in 1502 of the Admiral of the Indies (Almirante das Indias), a second, separate Portuguese admiral title for the East Indies
. Back in 1492, Christopher Columbus
had been granted the ornate title of 'Admiral of the Ocean Sea' by the Catholic monarchs
of Spain
. Evidently, King Manuel I of Portugal
felt that if the Spanish had an admiral sailing around, then surely Portuguese should have one too. So, in January 1502, just before the departure on the 4th India Armada
, Manuel I bestowed upon the fleet captain Vasco da Gama
the overwrought title of Almirante dos mares de Arabia, Persia, India e de todo o Oriente ("Admiral of the Seas of Arabia, Persia, India and all the Orient" - or 'Admiral of the Indies' for short). The original 'Admiral' title became thereafter referred to narrowly as Admiral of the "Lusitania
n Sea" (mar lusitano) (or simply, "Admiral of Portugal"). The Admiral of the Indies title remained hereditary with Gama's descendants, the Counts of Vidigueira.
Portuguese language
Portuguese is a Romance language that arose in the medieval Kingdom of Galicia, nowadays Galicia and Northern Portugal. The southern part of the Kingdom of Galicia became independent as the County of Portugal in 1095...
: Almirante do Reino de Portugal) as the head of the Portuguese navy
Portuguese Navy
The Portuguese Navy is the naval branch of the Portuguese Armed Forces which, in cooperation and integrated with the other branches of the Portuguese military, is charged with the military defence of Portugal....
was created by King Denis of Portugal
Denis of Portugal
Dinis , called the Farmer King , was the sixth King of Portugal and the Algarve. The eldest son of Afonso III of Portugal by his second wife, Beatrice of Castile and grandson of king Alfonso X of Castile , Dinis succeeded his father in 1279.-Biography:As heir to the throne, Infante Dinis was...
in 1317 (or 1322) for the Genoese
Republic of Genoa
The Most Serene Republic of Genoa |Ligurian]]: Repúbrica de Zêna) was an independent state from 1005 to 1797 in Liguria on the northwestern Italian coast, as well as Corsica from 1347 to 1768, and numerous other territories throughout the Mediterranean....
nobleman and naval officer Manuel Pessanha
Manuel Pessanha
Manuel Pessanha was a Genoese merchant sailor who served in Portugal in the 14th century as the first admiral of Portugal at the time of King Denis of Portugal....
(Emanuele Pessagno). Although there is evidence that such a title existed before (e.g. Afonso I
Afonso I of Portugal
Afonso I or Dom Afonso Henriques , more commonly known as Afonso Henriques , nicknamed "the Conqueror" , "the Founder" or "the Great" by the Portuguese, and El-Bortukali and Ibn-Arrik by the Moors whom he fought, was the first King of Portugal...
appointed his half-brother Fuas Roupinho to the title in 1184), it seems to have been of only a temporary character, for fleets assembled in times of war. The exception was perhaps Nuno Fernandes Cogominho who seems to have been appointed admiral by King Denis in 1307, and still had that title at his death in 1316, although the conditions are unclear. Nonetheless, Manuel Pessanha was the first person known to hold the title of Almirante-mor (Chief Admiral) as a permanent office for a permanent fleet. All the king's galleys were under his jurisdiction. The conditions of the Pessanha's title stipulated that he must maintain a corps of at least 20 Genoese
Genoese
Genoese may refer to:* A person from Genoa* The Genoese dialect a variant of main Ligurian language* The Republic of Genoa, a state in Liguria from ca. 1100 to 1805 with various possessions in the Mediterranean...
naval officers at all times and was obliged to serve the king in military service on land as well as sea.
The office of Almirante-mor became a hereditary benefice in the Pessanha family - passing successively through his sons Carlos, Bertolomeu and Lançarote. After the disastrous handling of the Portuguese fleet in the blockade of Seville in 1369, Pessanha's son Lançarote Pessanha temporarily lost the admiral title to João Afonso Telo de Menezes (Count of Barcelos
Count of Barcelos
Count of Barcelos is a title of nobility, the first to be granted in Portugal. It was created in 1298 by king Denis I and initially it was a non hereditary title, although most of the holders belonged to the Teles de Menezes family...
), but was later restored by King Ferdinand of Portugal
Ferdinand of Portugal
-Kings:* Ferdinand I of Portugal * Ferdinand II of Portugal , King Consort to Mary II of Portugal-Infantes:* Infante Fernando, Count of Flanders , son of Sancho I of Portugal...
. The title then passed on through Lançarote's sons Manuel II and then Carlos II, the last of the male line. Carlos II had no male heirs, but only two daughters (Genebra & Brites) and a niece (Catarina, daughter of his late brother Antonio, who had died at Aljubarrota
Battle of Aljubarrota
The Battle of Aljubarrota was a battle fought between the Kingdom of Portugal and the Crown of Castile on 14 August 1385. Forces commanded by King John I of Portugal and his general Nuno Álvares Pereira, with the support of English allies, opposed the army of King John I of Castile with its...
).
In 1433, the title of Admiral went as dowry
Dowry
A dowry is the money, goods, or estate that a woman brings forth to the marriage. It contrasts with bride price, which is paid to the bride's parents, and dower, which is property settled on the bride herself by the groom at the time of marriage. The same culture may simultaneously practice both...
in the marriage of Genebra Pereira (daughter of Carlos II Pessanha) to D. Pedro de Menezes
Pedro de Menezes, 1st Count of Vila Real
Dom Pedro de Menezes Portocarrero, was a 15th C. Portuguese nobleman and military figure. Pedro de Menezes was the 2nd Count of Viana do Alentejo, 1st. Count of Vila Real and the first Portuguese governor of Ceuta.Pedro de Menezes was the son of the powerful 14th C...
. After Menezes death without issue in 1437, the title was passed on to Lançarote da Cunha (the young son of Carlos II Pessanha's other daughter, Brites Pereira), but the office was de facto exercised by Brites's husband, Rui de Mello da Cunha. Being pre-deceased by his son, Rui de Mello was appointed admiral de jure in 1453.
After Mello's death in 1467, the title passed to Nuno Vaz de Castelo Branco, king's chamberlain and son of Catarina Pessanha, who in turn passed in on to his own son Lopo Vaz de Castelo-Branco, c.1476. After the treason and assassination of Lopo Vaz de Castelo Branco, John II of Portugal
John II of Portugal
John II , the Perfect Prince , was the thirteenth king of Portugal and the Algarves...
handed the title to Pedro de Albuquerque in 1483. But Albuquerque himself fell into intrigues and was soon deprived of the position.
In 1485, John II passed the title of admiral to Lopo Vaz de Azevedo, a knight of the Order of Aviz
Order of Aviz
The Military Order of Aviz , previously to 1910 Royal Military Order of Aviz , previously to 1789 Order of Saint Benedict of Aviz , previously Knights of St. Benedict of Aviz or Friars of Santa Maria of Évora, is a Portuguese Order of Chivalry...
(and a relative of the Pessanhas), and made it hereditary in the Azevedo family. That line having lost male issue by 1646, it was passed via female lines to D. Luis de Portugal, Count of Vimioso, and then after his death in 1660, it passed on by female line to the house of Castro (Counts of Resende).
Around 1373 (exact date uncertain), the King created the office of captain-major of the fleet (capitão-mor da frota), initially a complementary position, covering the command of the alto-bordo ('high-sided',or sail-powered) ships of the fleet, leaving the Admiral exclusively in charge of the oar-powered galleys. The first capitão-mor was Gonçalo Tenreiro. During the reign of John I of Portugal
John I of Portugal
John I KG , called the Good or of Happy Memory, more rarely and outside Portugal the Bastard, was the tenth King of Portugal and the Algarve and the first to use the title Lord of Ceuta...
, Tenreiro was succeeded Afonso Furtado de Mendonça (appointment date uncertain) and, in 1423, by Álvaro Vaz de Almada (Count of Avranches). The letter appointing Avranches designates a more extensive capitão-mor, covering the royal galleys and infringing on the traditional jurisdiction of the almirante-mor, thus suggesting that by this time, the title of almirante had become purely honorific, and the de facto high naval command had been absconded by the capitão-mor. However, the letter appointing Ruy de Mello da Cunha as 'admiral' in 1453 temporarily restored his authority, including the 'alto-bordo' ships. In 1460, the admiral was deprived of his jurisdiction over arraes (fishing boats), which were passed to local councils.
The title of 'Admiral' was made more specific with the establishent in 1502 of the Admiral of the Indies (Almirante das Indias), a second, separate Portuguese admiral title for the East Indies
Portuguese India
The Portuguese Viceroyalty of India , later the Portuguese State of India , was the aggregate of Portugal's colonial holdings in India.The government started in 1505, six years after the discovery of a sea route to India by Vasco da Gama, with the nomination of the first Viceroy Francisco de...
. Back in 1492, Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus was an explorer, colonizer, and navigator, born in the Republic of Genoa, in northwestern Italy. Under the auspices of the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, he completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean that led to general European awareness of the American continents in the...
had been granted the ornate title of 'Admiral of the Ocean Sea' by the Catholic monarchs
Catholic Monarchs
The Catholic Monarchs is the collective title used in history for Queen Isabella I of Castile and King Ferdinand II of Aragon. They were both from the House of Trastámara and were second cousins, being both descended from John I of Castile; they were given a papal dispensation to deal with...
of Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. Evidently, King Manuel I of Portugal
Manuel I of Portugal
Manuel I , the Fortunate , 14th king of Portugal and the Algarves was the son of Infante Ferdinand, Duke of Viseu, , by his wife, Infanta Beatrice of Portugal...
felt that if the Spanish had an admiral sailing around, then surely Portuguese should have one too. So, in January 1502, just before the departure on the 4th India Armada
4th Portuguese India Armada (Gama, 1502)
The Fourth India Armada was assembled in 1502 on the order of King Manuel I of Portugal and placed under the command of D. Vasco da Gama. It was Gama's second trip to India...
, Manuel I bestowed upon the fleet captain Vasco da Gama
Vasco da Gama
Vasco da Gama, 1st Count of Vidigueira was a Portuguese explorer, one of the most successful in the Age of Discovery and the commander of the first ships to sail directly from Europe to India...
the overwrought title of Almirante dos mares de Arabia, Persia, India e de todo o Oriente ("Admiral of the Seas of Arabia, Persia, India and all the Orient" - or 'Admiral of the Indies' for short). The original 'Admiral' title became thereafter referred to narrowly as Admiral of the "Lusitania
Lusitania
Lusitania or Hispania Lusitania was an ancient Roman province including approximately all of modern Portugal south of the Douro river and part of modern Spain . It was named after the Lusitani or Lusitanian people...
n Sea" (mar lusitano) (or simply, "Admiral of Portugal"). The Admiral of the Indies title remained hereditary with Gama's descendants, the Counts of Vidigueira.
List of the Admirals of Portugal
The following is the list of title-holders of the "Admiral of the Reign/Portugal/Lusitanian Sea". The date refers to the approximate year of appointment- Nuno Fernandes Cogominho - 1307 (not normally counted in the admiral numbering)
- Manuel PessanhaManuel PessanhaManuel Pessanha was a Genoese merchant sailor who served in Portugal in the 14th century as the first admiral of Portugal at the time of King Denis of Portugal....
- 1317/22 - Carlos Pessanha - c.1340
- Bartolomeu Pessanha - c.1340?
- Lançarote Pessanha - c. ?
- D. João Afonso Telo de Menezes, [4th [Count of Barcelos]], 1stCount of OurémCount of OurémCount of Ourém is a Portuguese title granted, in 1370 by King Fernando I of Portugal, to Dom João Afonso Telo de Meneses, uncle of Queen Leonor Telles de Menezes...
, 1st Count of Viana do Alentejo - c. 1369 - Lançarote Pessanha (restored)- c. 1380
- Manuel (II) Pessanha - c. 1384
- Carlos (II) Pessanha - c. 1400?
- Pedro de MenezesPedro de Menezes, 1st Count of Vila RealDom Pedro de Menezes Portocarrero, was a 15th C. Portuguese nobleman and military figure. Pedro de Menezes was the 2nd Count of Viana do Alentejo, 1st. Count of Vila Real and the first Portuguese governor of Ceuta.Pedro de Menezes was the son of the powerful 14th C...
, 1st Count of Vila RealCount of Vila RealCount of Vila Real was a Portuguese title of nobility created by a royal decree, in 1424, by King John I of Portugal, and granted to Dom Pedro de Menezes, also known as Peter I of Menezes, 1st Count of Viana .The Menezes, a high nobility family quite close to the first Dynasty Kings in Portugal,...
, 2nd Count of Viana do Alentejo - 1433 - Lançarote da Cunha - 1437
- Rui de Mello da Cunha - 1453 (de facto since 1437)
- Nuno Vaz de Castelo Branco - 1467
- Lopo Vaz de Castelo Branco - c.1475
- Pedro de Albuquerque - 1483
- Lopo Vaz de Azevedo - 1485
- António de Azevedo - c. 1502?
- Lopo Vaz de Azevedo again?
- António de Azevedo again? - 1518
- Lopo de Azevedo, 1544
- João de Azevedo - 1580
- D. Luis de Portugal, Count of Vimioso, 1646
- D. João de Castro - 1660/62
- D. Francisco de Castro - c. 1650
- D. João José de Castro - c. 1675
- D. Luís Inocêncio de Castro - c. 1680
- D. António José de Castro, 1st Count of Resende - 1719
- D. José Luís de Castro, 2nd Count of Resende - 1744
- D. Luís Inocêncio Benedito de Castro, 3rd Count of Resende- 1777
- D. António Benedito de Castro, 4th Count of Resende - 1820
- D. Luís Manuel Benedito da Natividade de Castro Pamplona, 5th Count of Resende - 1844
- D. António de Castro Pamplona, 7th Count of Resende - 1877
- D. João de Castro Pamplona, 8th Count of Resende - 1882
- D. Maria José de Castro Pamplona, 9th Countess of Resende - 1908
- (de jure) D. João de Castro de Mendia, 10th Count of Resende - 1946