Count of Barcelos is a title of nobility, the first to be granted in Portugal

Portugal

Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...

. It was created in 1298 by king Denis I and initially it was a non hereditary title, although most of the holders belonged to the Teles de Menezes

Leonor Telles de Menezes

Leonor Telles de Menezes was a queen consort of Portugal and regent during the years 1383–1385. She was the wife of a Portuguese nobleman from whom she was forcibly divorced by King Ferdinand I, who afterward married her...

 family. It was only after the death of the 6th Count, when it was granted to Nuno Álvares Pereira

Nuno Álvares Pereira

Dom Nuno Álvares Pereira, O. Carm. , also spelled Nun'Álvares Pereira, was a Portuguese general of great success who had a decisive role in the 1383-1385 Crisis that assured Portugal's independence from Castile...

, that the title became hereditary. The 8th Count of Barcelos was created Duke of Braganza

Duke of Braganza

The title Duke of Braganza in the House of Braganza is one of the most important titles in the peerage of Portugal. Since the House of Braganza acceded to the throne of Portugal in 1640, the male heir of the Portuguese Crown was known as the Duke of Braganza and Prince of Brazil until 1822, or...

 in 1442, by his nephew king Afonso V, and his descendents rose to the Portuguese throne after the country regained its independence from Spain in 1640.

Initially, the seat of the Counts of Barcelos was the Castle of Barcelos

Barcelos

Barcelos Municipality is located in Braga District, in the north of Portugal. It has a total population of 123,831 and an area of 378.9 km². With 89 parishes, it is the municipality with the highest number of parishes in the country, as well as the city of Barcelos...

, a large medieval structure that overlooks the Cávado

Cávado River

The Cávado River is a river located in north Portugal.It has its source in Serra do Larouco at 1520 meters. It runs 135 km from Gouveia to its mouth into the Atlantic Ocean next to the city of Esposende...

 river. After having been granted the Dukedom of Braganza, the family moved to a larger and more urbane palace in Guimarães

Guimarães

Guimarães Municipality is located in northwestern Portugal in the province of Minho and in the Braga District. It contains the city of Guimarães.The present Mayor is António Magalhães Silva, elected by the Socialist Party.-Parishes:-Economy:...

.

The title is currently held by Duarte Pio, Duke of Braganza

Duarte Pio, Duke of Braganza

Dom Duarte Pio, Duke of Braganza , is the 24th Duke of Braganza and a pretender to the throne of Portugal.-Birth and education:...

 and 31st Count of Barcelos, claimant to the throne of Portugal.

Non-hereditary title (1298)

• 1. João Afonso de Menezes;
• 2. Martim Gil, also known as Martim Gil de Sousa (1st Count's son in law);
• 3. Pedro Afonso
  Pedro Afonso, Count of Barcelos
  Pedro Afonso , was a son of King Denis of Portugal and Grácia Frois. He was made the 3rd Count of Barcelos on May 1, 1314.He was granted properties in Lisboa, Estremoz, Évora and other regions of Portugal by his father....
  
  , natural son of King Denis I of Portugal;
• 4. João Afonso Teles de Menezes, also 1st Count of Ourém
  Count of Ourém
  Count of Ourém is a Portuguese title granted, in 1370 by King Fernando I of Portugal, to Dom João Afonso Telo de Meneses, uncle of Queen Leonor Telles de Menezes...
  
  ;
• 5. Afonso Teles de Menezes, 4th Count's son;
• 6. João Afonso Teles de Menezes, 4th Count's nephew and queen Leonor Telles de Menezes
  Leonor Telles de Menezes
  Leonor Telles de Menezes was a queen consort of Portugal and regent during the years 1383–1385. She was the wife of a Portuguese nobleman from whom she was forcibly divorced by King Ferdinand I, who afterward married her...
  
   older brother.

Hereditary title (1385)

• 7. Nuno Álvares Pereira
  Nuno Álvares Pereira
  Dom Nuno Álvares Pereira, O. Carm. , also spelled Nun'Álvares Pereira, was a Portuguese general of great success who had a decisive role in the 1383-1385 Crisis that assured Portugal's independence from Castile...
  
  
• 8. Afonso, also Duke of Braganza
  Duke of Braganza
  The title Duke of Braganza in the House of Braganza is one of the most important titles in the peerage of Portugal. Since the House of Braganza acceded to the throne of Portugal in 1640, the male heir of the Portuguese Crown was known as the Duke of Braganza and Prince of Brazil until 1822, or...
  
   (1442), son in law of the 7th Count.

(for the list of holders after this date, see Dukes of Braganza)

External links

• Genealogy of the Counts of Barcelos in Portuguese