The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-07.
Peter II, king of Portugal
1648–1706, king of Portugal (1683–1706), younger son of John IV; brother and successor of Alfonso VI. In 1667, he seized power from his incompetent brother and ruled the country as prince regent until Alfonso’s death. The marriage of Marie Françoise to Alfonso was annulled (1667), and she married Peter. The reign was one of prosperity and peace until its final years. Portugal became subservient to English foreign policy and, having signed the Treaty of Methuen (1703) with England, was reluctantly drawn into the War of the Spanish Succession. The allies were campaigning in Spain when Peter died. He was succeeded by his son, John V.
