The Portuguese Restoration War: How Portugal Broke Free from Spain

In 1640, a group of Portuguese nobles stormed the royal palace in Lisbon, ending sixty years of Spanish rule under the Iberian Union. This episode follows the dramatic story of the Restoration War (Guerra da Restauração) that followed, examining how a small nation reclaimed its independence from the most powerful empire in Europe. We explore the key figures—the Duke of Braganza, who became King João IV; the Spanish minister Gaspar de Guzmán, Count-Duke of Olivares; and the military commander Matias de Albuquerque—and the decisive battles that shaped the conflict, including Montijo and the Lines of Elvas. We also delve into the diplomatic maneuvering that secured alliances with England, France, and the Dutch Republic, and the cultural revival that cemented Portugal's distinct identity. From the Acclamation of 1640 to the Treaty of Lisbon in 1668, this is the story of how Portugal fought—and won—its freedom. #RestorationWar #GuerraDaRestauração #JoãoIV #DukeOfBraganza #CountDukeOfOlivares #IberianUnion #PortugalIndependence #BattleOfMontijo #LinesOfElvas #MatiasDeAlbuquerque #TreatyOfLisbon #1640 #1668 #PortugueseHistory #SpanishEmpire #FexingoHistory #History #Europe Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo