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Alvaro III of Kongo to Philip III of Portugal Establishing Mutually Beneficial Relations Between the Two Countries and Explaining Kongo’s Deteriorating Relationship with the Province of Soyo
Not on view
The correspondence of Kongo leaders constitutes a key source on world affairs from a pre-colonial Kongo perspective. From the sixteenth century on the reigns of Kongo sovereigns were tumultuous in light of competing claims for succession and challenges for influence from neighboring rulers. Under Alvaro II (r. 1587–1614), the sovereignty of the key province of Soyo was granted to a nobleman in exchange for his allegiance against rival factions. Centralized royal power continued to disintegrate, under his successor, Alvaro III (r. 1615–22), as reflected in this letter concerning ongoing strained relations with Soyo.
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