Grand Masters of Order of Aviz

The Grand Masters of the Order of Aviz led the Portuguese military order from its founding as the Order of Évora in 1162 through its transformation into a royal dynasty.

Members of the Grand Masters of Order of Aviz lineage

• Afonso Henriques, 1st Grand Master (?–1181) — First leader of the Order of Évora (later Aviz), founded around 1162 to defend the Portuguese frontier against the Moors.
• Fernando Rodrigues Monteiro, 2nd Grand Master (?–1195) — Expanded the order's frontier defenses in the Alentejo region of Portugal.
• Fernão de Anes, 3rd Grand Master (?–1204) — Led the order during the consolidation of Portuguese territory south of the Tagus River.
• Gil Vaz de Soverosa, 4th Grand Master (?–1218) — Received the town of Aviz from King Afonso II in 1211, giving the order its permanent name and headquarters.
• Fernando Rodrigues, 5th Grand Master (?–1227) — Consolidated the order's presence at its new base of Aviz in the Alentejo.
• Martim Fernandes, 6th Grand Master (?–1243) — Participated in Portuguese Reconquista campaigns under Sancho II and Afonso III.
• Lourenço Afonso, 7th Grand Master (?–1261) — Oversaw the order during the final phase of the Portuguese Reconquista as the Algarve was conquered.
• João Peres de Aboim, 8th Grand Master (?–1280) — Managed the order in peacetime as the Reconquista in Portugal was effectively complete.
• João Fernandes, 9th Grand Master (?–1297) — Led the order during the reign of King Dinis and border conflicts with Castile.
• Rodrigo Eanes, 10th Grand Master (?–1314) — Grand Master during the suppression of the Templars; Aviz benefited from some redistributed properties.
• Vasco Afonso, 11th Grand Master (?–1330) — Managed the order during the early 14th century political conflicts between Crown and nobility.
• Gonçalo Vaz de Azevedo, 12th Grand Master (?–1345) — Led the order during the Black Death and its devastating impact on Portugal.
• Martim do Avelar, 13th Grand Master (?–1364) — Grand Master during the reign of Pedro I "the Just" of Portugal.
• Fernando Rodrigues de Sequeira, 14th Grand Master (?–1380) — Led the order during the 1383–1385 crisis that would transform Portuguese history.
• João, Mestre de Aviz, 15th Grand Master (1357–1433) — Illegitimate son of Pedro I who became Grand Master and then was elected King João I of Portugal in 1385, founding the Aviz dynasty. Won the Battle of Aljubarrota against Castile, securing Portuguese independence.
• Fernão Rodrigues de Sequeira, 16th Grand Master (?–1413) — Appointed after João I became king; managed the order as a royal institution.
• Fernando, Infante de Portugal, 17th Grand Master (1402–1443) — The "Holy Prince". Son of João I; captured at the disastrous attack on Tangier in 1437 and died as a prisoner in Fez. Later beatified.
• Pedro, Duke of Coimbra, 18th Grand Master (Administrator) (1392–1449) — Regent of Portugal and administrator of Aviz. Killed at the Battle of Alfarrobeira.
• Filipe, Infante de Portugal, 19th Grand Master (?–1480) — Royal prince who administered the order as Crown control increased.
• João II of Portugal, 20th Grand Master (Crown) (1455–1495) — The "Perfect Prince" incorporated Aviz into the Crown, ending its independent governance.