Michael of Portugal

Miguel was an avowed conservative and admirer of Metternich's Austria. He led two revolts against his father in the 1820s, earning himself a sentence of exile at one point. In 1826 he was betrothed to his young niece Maria II. Miguel subsequently proclaimed himself regent (February 26, 1828) and then took the throne as sole monarch (June 23, 1828) at which time he overthrew Pedro IV[?]'s constitution. Miguel sought to gain international backing for his regime, but the Duke of Wellington's government in the United Kingdom fell in 1830 just before it could afford formal recognition. In 1831 Miguel's brother Pedro abdicated the throne of Brazil and occupied the Azores from whence he launched naval attacks on Portugal. After a 3-year civil war, Miguel was forced to abdicate at Evoramonte (May 26, 1834) and was sent into exile by the victorious Pedro.