How important was royal patronage in the establishment and development of Portuguese overseas empire 1415-1550

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‘How important was Royal Patronage in the Establishment and Development of the Portuguese Overseas Empires in the Years 1415-1550? - HIS4X

                        

How important was Royal Patronage in the Establishment and Development of the Portuguese Overseas Empires in the Years 1415-1550?

The Portuguese overseas empire were established and developed by a number of closely associated and integrated factors that had fluctuating levels of significance throughout this period. The factors also had differing importance in firstly, the separate processes of establishment and development of empire, and secondly in the different areas of Portuguese empire; Africa, India and Brazil. It is important to discern in which area and for what process they were most significant to and at what times. The focus centred on royal patronage and the historical debate surrounding Prince Henrique, and the role of notable individuals within the Portuguese empire such as Francisco de Almeida and Afonso de Albuquerque. Other causes including religious fervour from the strong crusading legacy of the Reconquista and encouragement from the Papacy in the form of favourable Papal Bulls. Tackling the background economic context, and finally, considering technological advances throughout the period, most significantly gunpowder and ship design. All these factors played important roles in the establishment of the distinct empires, but each area was influenced by them to varying degrees at different stages. The desire for economic gain dominated the establishment and development of the Portuguese overseas empire.

        Royal patronage under the early rulers of this period was the most significant driving force behind Portuguese overseas establishment and development in North Africa up until the breakthrough in 1497 to the Indian Ocean. The conquering of Maranid territories was driven by a desire of the monarchy to extend the legacy of the Reconquista to that of their claim to an eighth century Visigoth kingdom. This can also be linked to the political rivalry between the Portuguese and their Castilian neighbours due to their rival claims to Visigothic heritage. The siege of Ceuta was carried out by four members of the Portuguese royal family; ‘that so many male members of the royal family participated personally in such a dangerous enterprise was quite exceptional’. This act carried out by  members of the royal family is not simply royal patronage but royal engagement in the establishment of Portuguese empire in North Africa, and their involvement in the region did not cease following the capture of Ceuta, ‘from Joao I to Manuel I (1495-1521) Portuguese rulers became deeply enmeshed in North Africa’. Establishment of empire went further with the capture of Tangier, Al-Ksar as Saghir and Asilah under the direction and command of the royal princes. Development of this empire through royal investment was vast ranging; from strategically placed forts and feitorias by Joao II in the fifteenth century to entrenchment of occupied regions in 1542 under Joao III. But the impact of royal patronage in the establishment of further empire reduced throughout the period; from 1487 to 1497 the Portuguese crown was distracted by the treaty of Tordesillas, the voyages of Columbus and the death of Joao II. Until Cabral (1500) most Portuguese expeditions to Africa were paid for by the king, or by individuals with a royal licence. Consolidation and development became more of a priority due to the crown’s lack of ability to maintain such high costs with little return. Despite the crown not being driven by its own volition, it was a driving factor to the establishment and development of the Portuguese overseas empire even through its decline with the rise of the viceroys of India acting in its name.

        In just a short five year period surrounding the turn of the sixteenth century the Portuguese crown invested more into the Indian Ocean than any other area in the world, of around seven thousand foot soldiers and a fleet of warships to establish a monopoly on trade with the Estado da India. But the investment needed to secure (the wealth) was far beyond the capacity of the crown to finance. So it is clear that royal patronage was not the most significant causal factor to the establishment and development of Portuguese overseas empire in not just India but also Africa, much of it relied on private investment separate from the crown and so this leads to the reasoning that it was due to economic gain and religious zeal. Using a sophisticated strategy for the creation of a seaborne empire based on the control of certain key ports. Although it was the initial input of the Portuguese crown of ships, men and supplies the impetus truly came from the actions of the individual viceroys of India who were autonomous in their actions in name only of the kings of Portugal. So in the context of establishment and development of Portuguese empire in India the crowns actions were minimal. The strong maritime empire was due to the actions of individuals who did it for financial gain and with minimal royal support.

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        The roles of separate individuals in establishing and developing the Portuguese overseas empire is important to consider; in two areas, North Africa and the Indies, the roles of Prince Henrique and the viceroys of India, Almeida and Albuquerque. From the period of 1415-1460 Prince Henrique is considered to be a vital figure in terms of propelling the process of empire building, but at the same time superfluous when considering the scope of overseas empire. Dan O’Sullivan argues that Henrique provided an important stimulus and patronage for many.  The British foreign office concurs with this traditional view; ‘The Portuguese colonial empire ...

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