Álvaro de Bragança
Álvaro of Braganza ( 1440 – 1504, Toledo) was the 4th son of Ferdinand I, 2nd Duke of Braganza and his wife, "Dona" Joana de Castro. Biography. He played an important role during the reign of King Afonso V of Portugal, when he was appointed Chancellor of the Kingdom. He took part in the king's expeditions against Castile (War of the Castilian Succession) and in the king's voyage to France. On his return to Portugal, he married "Dona" Filipa de Melo (c. 1460–1516), the rich daughter and heiress of Rodrigo Afonso de Melo, 1st Count of Olivença . They had two sons and four daughters: When King John II of Portugal succeeded on the throne of Portugal and started his fight against the high aristocracy, namely the Braganzas, "Dom" Álvaro tried an approach with the King, but he was unsuccessful; his older brother, Ferdinand II, 3rd Duke of Braganza was executed, the family estates were confiscated, and the remaining family (Álvaro included) exiled to Castile. Queen Isabella I granted "Dom" Álvaro important estates in Gelves, and he was appointed Mayor of Seville and Andújar. He also took part in the conquest of the Kingdom of Granada led by  the Catholic Monarchs. When King John II died, Álvaro of Braganza returned to Portugal, where the new king, Manuel I, appointed him as special ambassador to Castile to negotiate the King's marriage to princess Isabella, Princess of Asturias (1470-1498). Later he also negotiated the King's second marriage. Álvaro of Braganza died in Toledo and his body was later transferred to the Convent of St. John Evangelist, in Évora.