Luís displayed exceptional intelligence and enthusiasm for learning from a young age.[3] Under the guidance of
Pedro Nunes,[a] he excelled in philosophy, mathematics, and astronomy.[5] He was educated alongside
João de Castro and the two became lifelong intimate friends.[6] Luís's amiable nature earned him both admiration among the nobility and widespread popularity among the people, standing out as an educated, affable, and jovial prince in stark contrast to his more somber older brother,
John III.[7]
Duke of Beja
Luís was granted the title of Duke of Beja on 5 August 1527,[8] as well as possession of several parishes and municipalities that spanned
Beira and
Alentejo.[9] He also held the titles of Constable of the Kingdom (Portuguese: Condestável do Reino) and
Prior of the
Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, with its Portuguese headquarters in the town of
Crato.[7] Previously reliant on the crown, Luís's newfound territorial holdings afforded him a measure of economic autonomy. His estates expanded following the death of the
Countess of Marialva in 1537,[b] making his household the most extensive in Portugal, in terms of revenues and dependents, second only to John III's.[10]
Conquest of Tunis
In the
Conquest of Tunis (1535), Luís fought at the side of his brother-in-law
Charles V.[11] Charles specifically requested the Portuguese galleon São João Baptista, also known as Botafogo, which was the most powerful ship in the world at the time, boasting 366 bronze cannons.[7] Luís played a crucial role in the campaign by orchestrating a strategic maneuver with the Botafogospur ram that successfully broke the defensive chains at
La Goletta, allowing the Christian allied fleet to access and conquer
Tunis.[12] His actions gained him international eminence.[13]
Patronage
Luís, a poet himself, was a prominent supporter of the arts and literature, recognized for his patronage of intellectuals and a particular affection for poetry and theater.[14] In later life, the Infante dedicated himself to religious matters.[15] In addition to acting as a patron for the
Jesuits,[16] he founded several convents and monasteries.[17] In 1542, after receiving
Salvaterra de Magos from his brother, Luís constructed a
palace with sumptuous gardens.[18]
In November 1555, Luís fell seriously ill in Salvaterra and was brought to court.[17] He died within a few days, on 27 November 1555, and was buried in the
Convent of Belém next to his brother,
Infante Afonso.[25]
^The timeframe during which Luís was taught by Nunez is uncertain, but some sources speculate that the lessons took place between 1526 and 1531.[4]
^Luís's brother,
Infante Ferdinand, was married to the daughter of the Countess. Following the passing of Ferdinand and his wife in 1534 without any surviving issue, the Countess bequeathed her entire estate to Luís.
^In 1540, a series of premature deaths resulted in
Infante Henry (who was bound by ecclesiastical vows), Luís, and the ailing
Crown Prince João emerging as the sole male-line relatives preceding foreign princes in the line of succession to the
Portuguese throne.[20]
^Joaquim Manuel da Silva Correia e Natália Brito Correia Guedes (2017). O Paço Real de Salvaterra de Magos (2ª Edição). Lisbon: Livros Horizonte. p. 272.
ISBN978-9722407236.
Carvalhal, Hélder (2013). "A Casa Senhorial do Infante D. Luís e a Casa Real: Autonomia Parcial ou Subordinação Total?". In Serrano, Eliseo (ed.).
De la tierra al cielo. Líneas recientes de investigación en Historia Moderna ["From Earth to Heaven. Recent Lines of Research in Modern History] (PDF) (in Portuguese). Zaragoza: Institución Fernando el Católico. pp. 535–542.
ISBN978-84-9911-234-3.
* also an infante of Castile and León, Aragon, Sicily and Naples,§ also an infante of Spain and an archduke of Austria,# also an infante of Spain,‡ also an imperial prince of Brazil,¶ also a prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Duke in Saxony,◙ also a prince of Braganza,¤ title removed in 1920 as their parents' marriage was deemed undynastic,ƒ claimant infante