Rodrigo Afonso de Melo, Count of Olivença
Encyclopedia
Rodrigo Afonso de Melo, 1st Count of Olivença (c.1430-1487) was a Portuguese nobleman, son of Martim Afonso de Melo, Lord of Ferreira de Aves e Chief-Guard of king Edward of Portugal.
He was Lord of Ferreira de Aves, Arega and Quinta de Água de Peixes, he was also king Afonso V
's Chief-Guard, as well as governor of Tangier
, escorting the king to his expeditions to north Africa. He also participated in king's John II
expedition to Arzila.
Rodrigo married, in 1457, Isabel de Menezes, and the couple had three daughter:
Rodrigo started to built the S. João Evangelista Convent (also known as Lóios Convent), in Évora
, which was concluded under his daughter Philippa supervision, due to the count's death. The convent is next to the Palace of the Dukes of Cadaval
, Rodrigo's heirs.
He was Lord of Ferreira de Aves, Arega and Quinta de Água de Peixes, he was also king Afonso V
Afonso V of Portugal
Afonso V KG , called the African , was the twelfth King of Portugal and the Algarves. His sobriquet refers to his conquests in Northern Africa.-Early life:...
's Chief-Guard, as well as governor of Tangier
Tangier
Tangier, also Tangiers is a city in northern Morocco with a population of about 700,000 . It lies on the North African coast at the western entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic Ocean off Cape Spartel...
, escorting the king to his expeditions to north Africa. He also participated in king's John II
John II of Portugal
John II , the Perfect Prince , was the thirteenth king of Portugal and the Algarves...
expedition to Arzila.
Rodrigo married, in 1457, Isabel de Menezes, and the couple had three daughter:
- Philippa de Melo (c.1460-10516), his heir, married to Álvaro of BraganzaÁlvaro of BraganzaÁlvaro of Braganza was the 4th son of Ferdinand I, 2nd Duke of Braganza and his wife, Dona Joana de Castro.-Biography:...
, from whom descends the Álvares Pereira de Melo family, Dukes of CadavalDuke of CadavalThe Dukes of Cadaval have their origins in Álvaro of Braganza, Lord of Tentúgal, Póvoa, Buarcos and Cadaval, 4th male son of Ferdinand I, 2nd Duke of Braganza. Dom Álvaro married Dona Phillipa of Melo, the rich daughter and heir of Rodrigo of Melo, 1st...
; - Margarida de Vilhena (c.1450- ? ), married to Pedro de Castro, without issue;
- Brianda de Melo.
Rodrigo started to built the S. João Evangelista Convent (also known as Lóios Convent), in Évora
Évora
Évora is a municipality in Portugal. It has total area of with a population of 55,619 inhabitants. It is the seat of the Évora District and capital of the Alentejo region. The municipality is composed of 19 civil parishes, and is located in Évora District....
, which was concluded under his daughter Philippa supervision, due to the count's death. The convent is next to the Palace of the Dukes of Cadaval
Palace of the Dukes of Cadaval (Évora)
The Palace of the Dukes of Cadaval is located in Évora historic centre, in Portugal, next-door to the Lóios Convent and Church and facing the Roman Temple of the Goddess Diana....
, Rodrigo's heirs.