João Manuel Alexandrino de Vasconcelos

A minor noble, de Vasconcelos rose to prominence during the Liberal Wars as a staunch supporter of King Miguel, allowing him to rise in the ranks of judiciary and government. Following the defeat of Miguel, he was the highest ranking of his former supporters to remain in the country and retain his noble titles and estate, albeit expelled from government. In the years following Maria's restoration, he became de facto leader of a much reduced traditional nobility, though he and his managed to reacquire much of their power. wealth and influence among the landowners as their last defeat receded into the past.