The House of Aviz was a royal dynasty that ruled Portugal from 1385 to 1580. It emerged after the Battle of Aljubarrota, where King John I secured independence from Castile. The house is known for its significant contributions to the Age of Discovery, with explorers like Vasco da Gama and Ferdinand Magellan expanding Portugal's influence across the globe. The dynasty ended with the death of King Sebastian in 1578, leading to a succession crisis. This resulted in the Portuguese succession crisis and ultimately the union of the crowns of Portugal and Spain under the Habsburg rule in 1580.