Alfonso V of Portugal

Alfonso V of Portugal, called The African (1432-1481), King of Portugal (1438-1481), son of King Edward (Duarte), born in Cintra (now Sintra). He succeeded to the throne in 1438, but his powers were delegated to a regency. In 1448 he dissolved the regency and assumed control of the government. In 1449 he quelled an insurrection led by his uncle Pedro, who had seized the regency from the queen mother. Between 1458 and 1471 he fought a series of successful wars against the Moors in north-west Africa. He attacked the kingdom of Castile in 1476, but was defeated. Portuguese exploration of the west coast of Africa, a project begun by Henry the Navigator, Prince of Portugal, continued during the reign of Alfonso V.