the name of six kings of Portugal.
John I (1357–1433), reigned 1385–1433; known as John the Great. Reinforced by an English army, he defeated the Castilians at Aljubarrota (1385), winning independence for Portugal.
John II (1455–95), reigned 1481–95.
John III (1502–57), reigned 1521–57.
John IV (1604–56), reigned 1640–56; known as John the Fortunate. The founder of the Braganza dynasty, he expelled a Spanish usurper and proclaimed himself king.
John V (1689–1750), reigned 1706–50.
John VI (1767–1826), reigned 1816–26.
(1165–1216), son of Henry II, king of England 1199–1216; known as John Lackland. He lost most of his French possessions, including Normandy, to Phillip II of France. In 1209 he was excommunicated for refusing to accept Stephen Langton as Archbishop of Canterbury. Forced to sign Magna Carta by his barons (1215), he ignored its provisions and civil war broke out.
