Manuel I of Portugal
Manuel's mother was the granddaughter of King John I of Portugal, whereas his father was the second surviving son of King Edward of Portugal and the younger brother of King Afonso V of Portugal. In 1495, Manuel succeeded his first cousin, King John II of Portugal, who was also his brother-in-law, as husband to Manuel's sister, Eleanor of Viseu.
Portuguese discovery of the sea route to India
But it was not in the reign of King John II of Portugal that this project, which was already facing a strong opposition from the court, was initiated. It happened only in the time of his successor, King Manuel I who incidentally did not share the general opinion about the sea routes being a good – if not the best – means to dominate trade with the East.