8. The Knights of Aviz: From Crusaders to Honorific Order
The Knights of Aviz, established in 1146, played a pivotal role in Portugal’s Reconquista, reclaiming territories from Moorish rule (catholic.com). Over time, their military significance diminished. In 1551, King João III assumed the Grand Mastership, integrating the order more closely with the monarchy. By 1789, under Queen Maria I and Pope Pius VI, the order was secularized, transitioning into a purely honorific institution. Today, it exists as a civil association under the Portuguese Crown.
