Dom Peter, Duke of Coimbra, KG, was a Portuguese infante (prince) of the House of Aviz, son of King Dom John I of Portugal and his wife, Philippa of Lancaster, daughter of John of Gaunt. In Portugal, he is known as Infante Dom Pedro das Sete Partidas [do Mundo], "of the Seven Parts [of the World]" because of his travels. Possibly the best-travelled prince of his time, he was regent between 1439 and 1448. He was also 1st Lord of Montemor-o-Velho, Aveiro, Tentúgal, Cernache, Pereira, Condeixa and Lousã.
Detail from the St Vincent Panels by Nuno Gonçalves, often believed to be a portrait of Peter
Infante Peter, Regent of the Kingdom of Portugal.
The House of Aviz, also known as the Joanine Dynasty, was a dynasty of Portuguese origin which flourished during the Renaissance and the period of the Portuguese discoveries, when Portugal expanded its power globally.
King John I of Portugal, founder of the House of Aviz.
The House of Aviz became Portugal's reigning dynasty following the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385.
Prince Henry the Navigator, famed leader of the Age of Discoveries and prince of the House of Aviz.
The death of King Sebastian I of Portugal at the Battle of Alcácer Quibir in 1578 led to the Portuguese succession crisis of 1580.