O genovês Micer Manuel Pessanha, Almirante d'El-Rei D. Dinis

Abstract

The article is centered on Micer Manuel Pessanha, descendent of a Genovese family of expert navigators that worked for several European courts and founder of a lineage of Royal Admirals that assumed the position hereditarily until the 1383-1385 crisis. With strong education and experience, Manuel Pessanha became a rich and powerful official and, above all, King D. Dinis’ henchman. He was not only profoundly involved in the navy’s renovation, but also fulfilled delicate diplomatic missions as Portuguese king’s ambassador for the Apostolic See, at a time when the kingdom was dealing with large administrative transformations that lead to a deeper centralization of power promoted by the sovereign king.