Portugal King Manuel I

In this page will delve into the reign of King Manuel I of Portugal, a key figure during the Sephardic diaspora, and the role that Isaac Abravanel played in his court.

Who was King Manuel I of Portugal?

King Manuel I, also known as Manuel the Fortunate, was the king of Portugal from 1495 until his death in 1521. He was a member of the House of Aviz, a Portuguese dynasty that ruled the country from 1385 to 1580. Manuel I was known for his ambitious programs of exploration and colonization, which helped establish Portugal as a major global power during the Age of Discovery.

What was Isaac Abravanel's role in King Manuel I's court?

Isaac Abravanel was a prominent Jewish statesman and financier who served as treasurer to the king of Castile before fleeing to Portugal due to the persecution of Jews in Spain. In Portugal, Abravanel was appointed as a financial adviser to King Manuel I, despite his Jewish heritage. Abravanel was instrumental in helping the king finance his ambitious programs of exploration and colonization, which helped establish Portugal as a major global power.

When did Isaac Abravanel serve as a financial adviser to King Manuel I?

Isaac Abravanel served as a financial adviser to King Manuel I during the late 15th century until 1497, when he was forced to flee the country following the policy of forced conversion. During this time, Abravanel played a key role in the economic and political success of Portugal, despite facing challenges from members of the Portuguese nobility who resented the influence of a Jewish adviser at court.

Where did King Manuel I and Isaac Abravanel operate?

King Manuel I and Isaac Abravanel operated primarily in Portugal, which was a center of Sephardic Jewish culture during the early modern period. Despite facing persecution and discrimination, Sephardic Jews like Abravanel were able to make significant contributions to Portuguese society and the global economy.

Why is the reign of King Manuel I significant for Sephardic history?

The reign of King Manuel I is significant for Sephardic history because it marked a period of great change and upheaval for the Jewish community in Portugal and Spain.

During this time, Sephardic Jews were subjected to forced conversion, expulsion, and other forms of persecution, which led many to flee to other parts of Europe, the Ottoman Empire, and the Americas. Despite these challenges, Sephardic Jews like Isaac Abravanel were able to make significant contributions to the societies in which they lived, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to be celebrated today.

Sources:

Linhard, Tabea Alexa. Jewish Spain: A Mediterranean Memory. Stanford University Press, 2014.
Bodian, Miriam. The Jews of Portugal: A Political Economy of a Minority in a Europeanizing Society, 1495-1773. Holmes & Meier, 1997.
Krieger, Daniel. "The Jewish Contribution to the Iberian World of the Late Middle Ages and Early Modernity." Journal of Iberian and Latin American Research, vol. 12, no. 1, 2006, pp. 29-45.