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Order of Christ

Type Object Region Portugal Time c. 1475–1800

The Order of Christ was a military-religious order approved by the pope in 1319 and controlled by the Portuguese crown, inheriting the Knights Templa…

Timeline

  1. c. 1471–1480Tomar · TomarIn the 1470s the order's grand master worked closely with the royal house, investing the order's wealth in exploration along the African coast and the construction of trading posts, while using the papally chartered name of 'propagating the faith' to legitimize overseas expansion.
  2. c. 1480–1600Africa, Asia, and Brazil · AmericasThe order's influence spread across the globe with the Portuguese Empire, participating in missionary work, colonial administration, and the distribution of trade revenues in Africa and Asia; its cross emblem became one of the symbols of the Portuguese overseas presence.

Sources