So, I was checking the
Civilopedia entry for Maria I, and noticed these two snippets:
Civilopedia said:
History
In a dynasty characterized by tragedy and madness for centuries, Maria I is undoubtedly the best known to the world, and perhaps the best beloved by the Portuguese people. As Queen of Portugal, Brazil, and the Algarves, she was known as Maria the Pious while ruling in Portugal, or Maria the Mad after fleeing to Brazil in 1807 from Napoleon's invasion. Incapacitated by her growing madness, Maria I died in Rio de Janeiro in 1816.
Civilopedia said:
Judgment of History
Despite her madness, Maria I is a greatly admired figure in both Portugal and Brazil, due to the changes and events that took place during her reign. In Portugal, she is now regarded as a strong female figure in its long history. Her place in the culture of that land is best displayed in the Queluz National Palace, a baroque masterpiece that she helped conceive. In Brazil, she is thought to be one of the key figures in the eventual independence of that nation. While her personal life may have been lamentable, her historical legacy is not.
Errrr... What?
I might have not paying attention during History Class, but I'm not even sure what I emphasized is even true.
First of all, since when is House of Braganza "characterized by tragedy and madness for centuries"? That's not how I knew them - is that how they are seen in the outside world?
You could say Maria I's life was "characterized by tragedy and madness", for obvious reasons, but the entire dynasty's? Is it because of the Earthquake and the Regicide? Is that what they are trying to reach?
Then they say Maria I is "undoubtedly the best known to the world" (OK, I can accept that - though I have to ask it to a broader audience if they can clear this up), "and perhaps the best beloved by the Portuguese people."
Now, I didn't enjoy History Class a whole lot back at the day, but I barely remember talking about her!
We talked about Marquês de Pombal, we talked about the Earthquake of 1755, but... I just don't remember a whole lot of talk about Dona Maria I - not until the Napoleonic Invasion, at least, and how the royal family fled to Brazil (which certainly doesn't make her "the best beloved by the Portuguese people")...
About the last part, we have Dona Maria considered "a greatly admired figure in both Portugal and Brazil", despite the fact that I barely heard of her during school, and from what I get from Brazilian users of this forum, is completely false and she is NOT admired in Brazil!
"In Portugal, she is now regarded as a strong female figure in its long history" - again, despite the fact that the only mention I remember of her if how she (and the rest of the royal family) fled to Brazil (which is not a "strong female figure" trait), and "In Brazil, she is thought to be one of the key figures in the eventual independence of that nation" - again, despite the fact that
Brazilian users IN THIS VERY THREAD have claimed it to be FALSE! (Not that she wasn't a key figure in their eventual independence - Brazilians [or maybe that user in particular? I MIGHT be in the wrong here] just don't like her, it seems)
WHY IS THE CIVILOPEDIA LYING? (Or, where am I wrong here? Is Dona Maria I really considered that great of a Queen, and I somehow never got the memo?)
This is leaving me SERIOUSLY confused here!
I feel either Firaxis or education has failed me...
Don't get me wrong, I did do some research on her, and got to learn about
some of her actual deeds (which were NOT mentioned in the Civilopedia!) - but somehow I feel I still think either Civilopedia is missing the mark, or I'm just in need of an History lesson...