Jan

Autor: Jan
Rok: 1689-1750

Biogr./Hist. údaje: Narozen 22.10.1689, zemřel 31.7.1750. Portugalským králem v letech 1706-1750.
Zdroj: Autoritní databáze Národní knihovny ČR

Dom John V (Portuguese: João V; 22 October 1689 – 31 July 1750), known as the Magnificent (Portuguese: o Magnânimo) and the Portuguese Sun King (Portuguese: o Rei-Sol Português), was a Braganza monarch who ruled as King of Portugal and the Algarves during the first half of the 18th century. John V's raised the prestige of Portugal and its monarchy, which had been in decline amongst European courts, to a new level of prosperity and wealth.John V's reign saw an enormous influx of gold to the coffers of the king's Treasury, supplied largely by the royal fifth received from the Portuguese colonies of Brazil and Maranhão. John nearly depleted the royal treasury on ambitious architectural works, most notably Mafra Palace, and on commissions and additions for his sizable art and literary collections. Owing to his tastes for pomp and status, John also spent large sums on the embassies he sent to the courts of Europe, the most famous being those he sent to Paris (1715) and Rome (1716).Disregarding or disbanding traditional Portuguese institutions of governance, John V ruled as an absolute monarch. Continuing Braganza policy of stressing the importance of relations with Europe, John's reign was marked by numerous interventions with the states of Europe, most notably the War of the Spanish Succession and the Battle of Matapan, alongside key treaties, notably the Treaty of Utrecht. On an imperial front, John V pursued an expansionist policy, with significant conquests in Portuguese India and territorial gains in Portuguese America.John V was also a very pious man who devoted large parts of his day to prayer and religious study. He rewarded his long awaited recognition as a lawful monarch by Pope Benedict XIV with a fervent devotion to the Catholic Church and some very large donations to the Vatican. The Pope granted John V the styling of 'Most Faithful Majesty', which appealed to John's ostentatious tastes. However, John's relationship with the papacy varied at different periods in his reign and with the five different popes that presided during his reign, leading to both close relations and conflicts at different times.