Pierre de Charmaine

**King Consort Pierre** (born Pierre Francis Charles de Charmaine; 28 October, 1819-17 October, 1888) was the nephew of Charles X, Gustav V, Louis III, Henry I, and son of Francis de Charmaine. He was a member of the House of Charmaine, King of Portugal and husband of Queen Maria II of Portugal from the birth of his son in 1837 to Maria's death in 1853. Following Portuguese law, he only became king after he produced a son.

## Early Life

Pierre was the oldest child of Francis de Charmaine and his wife Louisa Frederica. Pierre was the nephew of Charles X, Gustav V, Louis III, Henry I, and older brother of Alexander. Pierre was born at Versailles and raised in his uncle's court up until 14 when he moved with his father into the Palace at Chambord. There he was taught the basics, and how to be courted as well as further life skills which could help him earn a higher place in life. In 1829 he was elevated to the title of Prince by his uncle, Louis III.

In 1835 Pierre was sent to Portugal for a summer trip and stayed with Maria. It is believed this is where they fell in love, and would marry the year later.

## Consolidation

On the 9th of April, Pierre married the Queen of Portugal Maria II. She had a previous husband who died the year earlier but had no children. Portugal was in a somewhat urgent position to have children.

### Prince Consort

As Prince Consort, Pierre used this time to make himself popular among the population. Pierre quickly became extremely popular to the people due to his liberal actions but to the royal court, nobles, and Politian's his ideas were often not listened to. He served along side his queen making sure she was kept in the right mind due to her illness'. Following Portuguese law, Pierre was not made king until he Maria gave birth to an heir.

### King

Pierre was made King upon the birth of his eldest son, and heir Pedro. Using the title and powers he had in government, he quickly got rid of many ministers and enemies to help liberalize the nation. His ideas ultimately failed due to the rise of Conservatives and Pedro Castillo. Castillo was a staunch believer in anti-liberal ideas and bashed protests. The King attempted to get rid of him but as the Queen's health worsened he could to little to stop the rise of Castillo. In 1848 As King Consort, Pierre privately forced the hand of his wife, who was to ill to properly think, making her sign a immediate removal of Pedro Castillo from power. After shown to court of law, Pedro was removed and Pierre took position as head of the Liberal Party. He allowed all men above the age of 25 to vote, no matter class and greatly advanced the economy by opening up trade all throughout the nation. With help from his uncle Charles through economical efforts, Portugal's economy ended up surpassing that of Spain's.

#### Public Health Act

In order to help fight against Cholera which had greatly affected Portugal, the King Consort signed the Public Health Act which helped curb the rising cases, and slow the spread. This policy was the first in many which helped rid Cholera from Portugal

#### Education Act

Throughout Maria's reign, Pierre brought many ideas from home and one was education. Pierre helped the lesser population learn basic things and greatly increased literacy rates and greatly helped rise the number of educated peoples.

### Insurrection

Conservative supporters, angry at the King rose up and began fighting. The revolution started in June 1848 and was crushed in September that same year.

### Regency

After the Death of Maria in 1853, the King Consort served as a regent for their eldest son Pedro. Pierre attempted to drill into Pedro's mind that of liberalization. Pierre was regent for Pedro until 1855 when Pedro was made King. Pedro listened to his fathers ideas, but when he died in 1861 the throne passed to his brother Luis. Luis originally followed that of his fathers beliefs but soon turned conservative and caused Portugal to fall behind much of Europe.

### Death

Pierre died on the 17th of October, 1888 in his home in Brest. He outlived 8 of his 11 children and choose never to marry again. Pierre died at 2:30 am, peacefully in his sleep.

## Children

With Maria II, Pierre had 11 children before the death of Maria during childbirth.