The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Miguel, Maria Evaristo

MIGUEL, mē-gĕl', Dom Maria Evaristo, Portuguese pretender, son of John VI of Portugal: b. Lisbon, 26 Oct. 1802; d. Castle Bronnbach, Baden, 14 Nov. 1866. He was brought up in Brazil, and upon the accession of his father repeatedly raised rebellion as head of the Absolutists. In 1826 after his father's death he was made regent, but proclaimed himself king, attempted to keep Maria de Gloria, the real heir to the throne, who had been offered to him in marriage, out of the kingdom, and was successful until Dom Pedro of Brazil came to the aid of his daughter Maria, defeated Miguel and forced him to leave Portugal. Miguel is usually described by the faction hostile to him as ignorant, vicious and drunken, but his coreligionists make him a model prince.