ALPHONSO IV. king of Portugal, surnamed the Brave, was the son of King Denis. Instigated, it is said, by the queen dowager of Castile, and moved with jealousy against his natural brother Alphonso Sanchez, he revolted against his father, and commenced a civil war. In this unnatural and base war he was justly unsuccessful; but although he was reduced to subjection, yet his haughty and ungovernable temper broke out in many occurrences, until he succeeded his father in 1324. He commenced his reign with devising plans for the security of his family in the government, and the good of the kingdom: he likewise manifested a strong benevolence of heart, in his affection for his consort Queen Beatrix, and his dutiful conduct towards his mother. Not long after, he engaged in war with Alonzo XI. king of Castile, which, after several severe struggles, with various success on both sides, terminated in an alliance, and in effectual assistance against the Moors. The artful and cruel part which he acted towards Donna Agnes de Castro, the mistress and concealed wife of his son, reflected the greatest disgrace upon his character. It is proper, however, to remark, that he was instigated to the murder of this princess by his courtiers. It was not therefore to be wondered at if his son was induced by this act to rise up in open rebellion against him; but the arms of his father were too formidable; and after his submission his father treated him with particular marks of attention. Instructed by the growing infirmities of years, he saw the termination of his reign and life approaching. He began to compensate for his past errors and faults by redressing grievances, by restraining immorality through the establishment of pious laws, by dictating salutary maxims for the government of the state, by removing those from the seats of power who were the most likely to become the objects of resentment after his death: he thus laboured to efface from the remembrance of his son the insult which he had received. While concerting these conciliatory measures, he died in May 1357, in the 32d year of his reign, and the 67th of his age. In many respects he deserves the character of a great man and a great king—brave and fortunate in war, but artful and indirect in his political measures, attached to his subjects, strict in the administration of justice, attentive to the public welfare, and assiduous in encouraging industry and enriching his people.