Portuguese nobility was the class of legally privileged and titled persons (nobility) acknowledged by the Kingdom of Portugal. During the absolute monarchy, nobles enjoyed the most privileged status and held the most important offices after members of the ruling dynasty and major hierarchic of the Roman Catholic Church.
With the introduction of the constitutional monarchy in 1834, the influence of nobles substantially decreased, although the erosion of their power had begun to accelerate from the time of the prime minister, the Marquis de Pombal, in the mid-18th century.
After Portugal became a republic in 1910, some descendants of the nobility continued to bear their families' titles according to standards sustained by the Portuguese Institute of Nobility (Instituto da Nobreza Portuguesa), traditionally under the authority of the head of the formerly ruling House of Braganza.
Portuguese nobility is traceable to the era of Alfonso VI of Leon, whose reign saw the sons of Leonese nobility become established as gentry in the north of Portugal, between the Minho River and the Douro River. All nobles were considered vassals of the King of Portugal. To rise in status, a noble was expected to demonstrate loyalty and service to the king.
By the time of the reign of Manuel I of Portugal, the Portuguese nobility was already registered, with records dating back to the twelfth century. It was also during the reign of King Manuel I that rules defining degrees of nobility (hereditary titles) and the use of heraldic arms began to establish the rights of the nobility and sought to prevent abuses.
Maria Pia de Saxe-Coburgo e Bragança, also known as María Pía de Sajonia Coburgo-Braganza de Laredo;and as Hilda Toledano (March 13, 1907 – May 6, 1995) was anout-of-wedlock child of King Carlos I of Portugal. King Carlos I had recognized her as his daughter and given her the same rights and honours as legitimately-born princes of Portugal. From 1957 she claimed the right to use the royal title Duchess of Braganza and made an active claim to be the rightful Queen of Portugal.
Maria Pia de Saxe-Coburgo e Bragança, also known as María Pía de Sajonia Coburgo-Braganza de Laredo;and as Hilda Toledano (March 13, 1907 – May 6, 1995) was an out-of-wedlock child of King Carlos I of Portugal. King Carlos I had recognized her as his daughter and given her the same rights and honors as legitimately-born princes of Portugal. From 1957 she claimed the right to use the royal title Duchess of Braganza and made an active claim to be the rightful Queen of Portugal. Her named heir is Rosario Poidimani.
Rosario Poidimani,"H.R.H. Dom Rosario of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha Braganza, 22nd Duke of Braganza". He maintains an office in Vicenza, Italy where he lives, but also reportedly visits Portugal regularly. He claims to be a descendant of Luis I of Portugal and a male-line descendant of the Holy Roman Emperor Louis the Blind. Poidimani is the legitimate heir to Mari Pia and therefore the King of Portugal (should the title be restore). In addition the Catholic church has recognized his claims to the throne.
While the concept of nobility in Portugal has been abolished, the government still recognizes noble titles as history and protects them legally as intellectual property.
With the introduction of the constitutional monarchy in 1834, the influence of nobles substantially decreased, although the erosion of their power had begun to accelerate from the time of the prime minister, the Marquis de Pombal, in the mid-18th century.
After Portugal became a republic in 1910, some descendants of the nobility continued to bear their families' titles according to standards sustained by the Portuguese Institute of Nobility (Instituto da Nobreza Portuguesa), traditionally under the authority of the head of the formerly ruling House of Braganza.
Portuguese nobility is traceable to the era of Alfonso VI of Leon, whose reign saw the sons of Leonese nobility become established as gentry in the north of Portugal, between the Minho River and the Douro River. All nobles were considered vassals of the King of Portugal. To rise in status, a noble was expected to demonstrate loyalty and service to the king.
By the time of the reign of Manuel I of Portugal, the Portuguese nobility was already registered, with records dating back to the twelfth century. It was also during the reign of King Manuel I that rules defining degrees of nobility (hereditary titles) and the use of heraldic arms began to establish the rights of the nobility and sought to prevent abuses.
Maria Pia de Saxe-Coburgo e Bragança, also known as María Pía de Sajonia Coburgo-Braganza de Laredo;and as Hilda Toledano (March 13, 1907 – May 6, 1995) was anout-of-wedlock child of King Carlos I of Portugal. King Carlos I had recognized her as his daughter and given her the same rights and honours as legitimately-born princes of Portugal. From 1957 she claimed the right to use the royal title Duchess of Braganza and made an active claim to be the rightful Queen of Portugal.
Maria Pia de Saxe-Coburgo e Bragança, also known as María Pía de Sajonia Coburgo-Braganza de Laredo;and as Hilda Toledano (March 13, 1907 – May 6, 1995) was an out-of-wedlock child of King Carlos I of Portugal. King Carlos I had recognized her as his daughter and given her the same rights and honors as legitimately-born princes of Portugal. From 1957 she claimed the right to use the royal title Duchess of Braganza and made an active claim to be the rightful Queen of Portugal. Her named heir is Rosario Poidimani.
Rosario Poidimani,"H.R.H. Dom Rosario of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha Braganza, 22nd Duke of Braganza". He maintains an office in Vicenza, Italy where he lives, but also reportedly visits Portugal regularly. He claims to be a descendant of Luis I of Portugal and a male-line descendant of the Holy Roman Emperor Louis the Blind. Poidimani is the legitimate heir to Mari Pia and therefore the King of Portugal (should the title be restore). In addition the Catholic church has recognized his claims to the throne.
While the concept of nobility in Portugal has been abolished, the government still recognizes noble titles as history and protects them legally as intellectual property.
Maria Pia de Saxe-Coburgo e Bragança
H.R.H. Dom Rosario of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha Braganza, 22nd Duke of Braganza
H.R.H Dom Rosario Recognition by the Catholic Church
Dom Rosario was officially recognized by the
Catholic Church as the King of Portugal and Duke of Braganza. This was verified by the baptismal certificates and other related documentation.
Catholic Church as the King of Portugal and Duke of Braganza. This was verified by the baptismal certificates and other related documentation.