The children of Palhavã (Portuguese Meninos de Palhavã) were three male natural sons of King John V of Portugal (who reigned from 1706 to 1750), which were recognised by the monarch in a document issued in 1742, which was published only after the death of the king, in 1752.
The expression comes from the fact these three children had lived in the palace of the Marquis of Louriçal, in the Palhavã area, in those times outside Lisbon.
The children had a remarkable education in the Santa Cruz Monastery, in Coimbra.
Their master was Friar Gaspar da Encarnação, who educated them as religious men according to the late King's wishes.
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