Peter II
king of Portugal
Peter II (born April 26, 1648, Lisbon—died Dec. 9, 1706, Lisbon) was the king of Portugal whose reign as prince regent (1668–83) and as king (1683–1706) was marked by the consolidation of royal absolutism and the reduction of the significance of the Cortes (National Assembly); at the same time he encouraged economic development and guided his nation through a troubled period in Europe. After the death of his father, John IV, in 1656, Peter’s feebleminded...