The Braganzas: The Rise and Fall of the Ruling Dynasties of Portugal and Brazil, 1640–1910

by Malyn Newitt

For two hundred and seventy years, the House of Braganza provided the kings and queens of Portugal. During a period of momentous change, from 1640 to 1910, this influential family helped to establish Portuguese independence from their powerful Spanish neighbors and saved the monarchy and government from total destruction by the marauding armies of Napoleon. The Braganzas also ruled the vast empire of Brazil from 1822 to 1889, successfully creating a unified nation and preventing the country from splitting into small warring states.

In his fascinating reappraisal of the Braganza dynasty, Malyn Newitt traces the rise and fall of one of the world’s most important royal families. He introduces us to a colorful cast of innovators, revolutionaries, villains, heroes, and charlatans, from the absolutist Dom Miguel to the “Soldier King” Dom Pedro I, and recounts in vivid detail the major social, economic, and political events that defined their rule. Featuring an extensive selection of artworks and photographs, Newitt’s book offers a timely look at Britain’s “oldest ally” and the role of monarchy in the early modern European world.

Genres: History, Portugal

352 pages, Hardcover

Published December 15, 2019

Reviews

[Moniek Bloks · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Braganzas ruled the Kingdom of Portugal from 1640 to 1910 and also the Empire of Brazil from 1822 to 1889. The family boasts plenty of interesting characters from child Emperors to mentally ill Queens. Yet, the information in English on them is quite limited so this book certainly fills a void.

From the introduction to The Braganzas: The Rise and Fall of the Ruling Dynasties of Portugal and Brazil, 1640–1910, I  was a little bit apprehensive. For several pages, the author referred to several women only as "the Emperor's sister" and the like. Luckily, this appears to be just a fluke and they regain their names in later chapters. The book is quite impressively researched and I imagine its many pages could turn off some readers. However, I found it very easy to read and not difficult to follow at all. All the family members are treated equally and the Princesses and Queens are also included, much to my delight. 

The Braganzas: The Rise and Fall of the Ruling Dynasties of Portugal and Brazil, 1640–1910 should become a staple of your bookcase if it isn't already.

[Liam Ostermann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an admirable history of the Braganza dynasty which ruled Portugal and it's empire together and then broke into separate branches to rule Portugal and Brazil separately. Not that there is much competition in the field of English language works on the Portuguese/Brazilian monarchs. With the exception of Lila Morwitz Schwartz's excellent 'The Emperor's Beard' Mr. Newitt has the field to himself - no books have been written or published in English on any Portuguese or Brazilian monarch since the early 20th century and, while an excellent history, I doubt if there will be any competition for a long time to come. Unfortunately as a country Portugal slipped into the ranks of an also ran curiosity before any Braganzas reached the throne and once they did none of them were really that interesting. Also their court never produced any any of the scintillating memoirists that the court of Versailles did nor did it attract the great travel writers that even the minor courts of Germany and Italy, never mind Russia, did. The mediocrity of most of the monarchs and the dullness of their court explains why even the most assiduous collector monarchist histories and court memoirs will know virtually nothing about them. Even the gruesome murder of the penultimate king and heir did not add any great sense of drama to the dynasty.

Still, as I say, this is an excellent and well written history and I enjoyed it thoroughly - and I am sure you will too.

[Tom King · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very simple chronological structure enables the reader to grasp the importance of each member of the Braganza family - not merely the monarchs but their families - in the sweep of Portuguese and Brazilian history.

It can become a little repetitive but it's written with pace and some style. It would also make a great reference book if you are interested in any particular individual or period, but I found it especially strong on the longer serving and more active monarchs.

[Chris J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent history on the Braganza family and dynasty. Looking forward to future books by the author.

[Antonio Jorge]

4,4