![BatalhaOurique](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9c/BatalhaOurique.jpg)
Portuguese participation in the ''
Reconquista
The ' (Spanish, Portuguese and Galician for "reconquest") is a historiographical construction describing the 781-year period in the history of the Iberian Peninsula between the Umayyad conquest of Hispania in 711 and the fall of the Nasrid ...
'' occurred from the moment the
County of Portugal
The County of Portugal ( pt, Condado de Portugal, Condado Portucalense, Condado de Portucale; in documents of the period the name used was Portugalia) refers to two successive medieval counties in the region around Braga and Porto, today corresp ...
was founded in
868
__NOTOC__
Year 868 ( DCCCLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar
The Julian calendar, proposed by Roman consul Julius Caesar in 46 BC, was a reform of the Roman cale ...
and continued for 381 years until the last cities still in Muslims control in the Algarve were captured in
1249
Year 1249 ( MCCXLIX) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar.
Events
By place
Seventh Crusade
* May 13 – King Louis IX (the Saint) assembles a Crusader fleet of 120 trans ...
.
Portugal was created during this prolonged process and largely owes its geographical form to it.
Background
In 711, a Muslim army commanded by
Tariq ibn Ziyad
Ṭāriq ibn Ziyād ( ar, طارق بن زياد), also known simply as Tarik in English, was a Berber commander who served the Umayyad Caliphate and initiated the Muslim Umayyad conquest of Visigothic Hispania (present-day Spain and Portugal) ...
, belonging to the
Umayyad Caliphate
The Umayyad Caliphate (661–750 CE; , ; ar, ٱلْخِلَافَة ٱلْأُمَوِيَّة, al-Khilāfah al-ʾUmawīyah) was the second of the four major caliphates established after the death of Muhammad. The caliphate was ruled by th ...
of Damascus, invaded the Iberian peninsula then controlled in its entirety by the
Visigothic Kingdom
The Visigothic Kingdom, officially the Kingdom of the Goths ( la, Regnum Gothorum), was a kingdom that occupied what is now southwestern France and the Iberian Peninsula from the 5th to the 8th centuries. One of the Germanic peoples, Germanic su ...
. The Visigoths and their king,
Roderic
Roderic (also spelled Ruderic, Roderik, Roderich, or Roderick; Spanish and pt, Rodrigo, ar, translit=Ludharīq, لذريق; died 711) was the Visigothic king in Hispania between 710 and 711. He is well-known as "the last king of the Goths". He ...
, were defeated at the
Battle of Guadalete
The Battle of Guadalete was the first major battle of the Umayyad conquest of Hispania, fought in 711 at an unidentified location in what is now southern Spain between the Christian Visigoths under their king, Roderic, and the invading forces of t ...
and from that moment on the peninsula was quickly captured by Muslims forces, which included Arabs and Berbers, in about two years thereafter.
Eleven years later Pelagius revolted against the Muslim occupation in Asturias and in 722 defeated a Muslim force at the
Battle of Covadonga
The Battle of Covadonga took place in 718 or 722 between the army of Pelagius the Visigoth and the army of the Umayyad Caliphate. Fought near Covadonga in the Picos de Europa, either in 718 or 722, it resulted in a victory for the forces of Pelag ...
, expelled the Muslim governor
Munuza
Uthman ibn Naissa () better known as Munuza, was a Berber governor depicted in different contradictory chronicles during the Umayyad conquest of Hispania.
Munuza in Asturias
One account says that he was the governor of Gijón (or possibly León) ...
from the region and founded the
Kingdom of Asturias
The Kingdom of Asturias ( la, Asturum Regnum; ast, Reinu d'Asturies) was a kingdom in the Iberian Peninsula founded by the Visigothic nobleman Pelagius. It was the first Christian political entity established after the Umayyad conquest of V ...
.
This kingdom gradually expanded across the mountainous north of the Iberian peninsula, capturing
Leon
Leon, Léon (French) or León (Spanish) may refer to:
Places
Europe
* León, Spain, capital city of the Province of León
* Province of León, Spain
* Kingdom of León, an independent state in the Iberian Peninsula from 910 to 1230 and again fro ...
and
Galicia among other territories and it would be under the aegis of its kings that 146 years later Christian rule would reach the banks of the
Douro River
The Douro (, , ; es, Duero ; la, Durius) is the highest-flow river of the Iberian Peninsula. It rises near Duruelo de la Sierra in Soria Province, central Spain, meanders south briefly then flows generally west through the north-west part of ...
, where the city and region of Portucale, now
Porto
Porto or Oporto () is the second-largest city in Portugal, the capital of the Porto District, and one of the Iberian Peninsula's major urban areas. Porto city proper, which is the entire municipality of Porto, is small compared to its metropol ...
, was located.
Conquests under the Kings of Asturias 868-981
Founding of the County of Portugal 868
During the reign of
Alfonso III of Asturias
Alfonso III (20 December 910), called the Great ( es, el Magno), was the king of León, Galicia and Asturias from 866 until his death. He was the son and successor of Ordoño I. In later sources he is the earliest to be called "Emperor of Spai ...
, 157 years after the invasion of the Iberian peninsula by Muslims, the nobleman
Vímara Peres
Vímara PeresVímara is an originally Visigothic name of Germanic origin (cognate with Weimar or Guimar) and Peres is a patronymic, meaning son of Pedro or Peter. The name can then be equated to Weimar/Guimar Peterson. (died in Galicia, 873) wa ...
seized
Porto
Porto or Oporto () is the second-largest city in Portugal, the capital of the Porto District, and one of the Iberian Peninsula's major urban areas. Porto city proper, which is the entire municipality of Porto, is small compared to its metropol ...
and its territory, then called Portucale, or Portugal, at a time when the head of royal guard of the
Emir of Cordoba
Emir (; ar, أمير ' ), sometimes transliterated amir, amier, or ameer, is a word of Arabic origin that can refer to a male monarch, aristocrat, holder of high-ranking military or political office, or other person possessing actual or ceremo ...
had revolted. Vímara Peres was granted broad privileges and the territory began to be settled by families belonging to the high nobility, few in number and related to royalty.
The capture and occupation of territory continued and in
870
__NOTOC__
Year 870 ( DCCCLXX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar.
Events
By place Europe
* August 8 – Treaty of Meerssen: King Louis the German forces his half-brothe ...
Braga
Braga ( , ; cel-x-proto, Bracara) is a city and a municipality, capital of the northwestern Portuguese district of Braga and of the historical and cultural Minho Province. Braga Municipality has a resident population of 193,333 inhabitants (in ...
was settled and its territory was organized under the personal guidance of Vímara Peres. In the same year, São Miguel do Paraíso, in
Guimarães
Guimarães () is a city and municipality located in northern Portugal, in the district of Braga.
Its historic town centre has been listed as a UNESCWorld Heritage Sitesince 2001, in recognition for being an "exceptionally well-preserved and a ...
, was taken over by Lucídio Vimaranes, son of Vimara Peres.
[ Still in 870, ]São Tomé de Negrelos
SAO or Sao may refer to:
Places
* Sao civilisation, in Middle Africa from 6th century BC to 16th century AD
* Sao, a town in Boussé Department, Burkina Faso
* Saco Transportation Center (station code SAO), a train station in Saco, Maine, U.S ...
was occupied by Flomarico and his wife Gundila, as well as by Scelemondo with his wife Astragundia.
Count Odoário seized Chaves in 872, and from this city the process of capture and resettlement of the mountainous Trás-os-Montes
Trás-os-Montes () is a geographical, historical and cultural region of Portugal.
Portuguese for "behind the mountains", Trás-os-Montes is located northeast of the country in an upland area, landlocked by the Douro and Tâmega rivers to south a ...
began, first in and around the fertile lands of the Chaves valley.[
]
Founding of the County of Coimbra 878
The city of Coimbra
Coimbra (, also , , or ) is a city and a municipality in Portugal. The population of the municipality at the 2011 census was 143,397, in an area of .
The fourth-largest urban area in Portugal after Lisbon, Porto Metropolitan Area, Porto, and Bra ...
was seized by Count Hermenegildo Guterres in 878. Other locations south of the Douro were then taken and resettled by order of Alfonso III of Asturias
Alfonso III (20 December 910), called the Great ( es, el Magno), was the king of León, Galicia and Asturias from 866 until his death. He was the son and successor of Ordoño I. In later sources he is the earliest to be called "Emperor of Spai ...
, such as Viseu
Viseu () is a city and municipality in the Centro Region of Portugal and the capital of the district of the same name, with a population of 100,000 inhabitants, and center of the Viseu Dão Lafões intermunipical community, with 267,633 inhabita ...
, Lamego
Lamego (; cel-x-proto, Lamecum) is a city and municipality in the Viseu District, in the Norte Region, Portugal, Norte Region of the Douro Subregion, Douro in northern Portugal. Located on the shores of the Balsemão River, the municipality has a ...
, and Anégia, today Eja
Siti Shahrizah "Eja" Saifuddin (born 18 January 1972) is a Malaysian actress of television and film. She first gained fame as the co-host in ''Roda Impian'', the Malaysian version of ''Wheel of Fortune''. After leaving the game show, she host ...
, where the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Cividade now stands specifically.
Lardosa, in the current parish of Rans, municipality of Penafiel
Penafiel ( or () is a municipality and former bishopric (now a Latin Catholic titular see) in the northern Portuguese district of Porto. Capital of the Tâmega Subregion, the population was 72,265 in 2011, in an area of .
History
The region ...
was seized in 882 by Muzara and Zamora, two Mozarabs
The Mozarabs ( es, mozárabes ; pt, moçárabes ; ca, mossàrabs ; from ar, مستعرب, musta‘rab, lit=Arabized) is a modern historical term for the Iberian Christians, including Christianized Iberian Jews, who lived under Muslim rule in A ...
most likely coming from the south.[Mário Jorge Barroca: ]
Fortifications and Settlement in the North of Portugal (9th to 11th centuries)
', 2004, article in Portugália, National Scientific Magazine, University of Porto, p. 182.
The Christian border progressed nearly 200 km south along the coast, passing from the Douro River to the Mondego valley but inland the border ran northeast along the Estrela Mountainrange on the northern slope but probably did not exceed the Rio Coa to the east.
Loss of Coimbra 981-990
The territory between the Douro and the Mondego remained in Christian hands for more than a century until the late 10th century campaigns of the notable vizier of Cordoba Almançor, in 986, 987, 995 e 997, which brought the frontier back to the Douro river valley.
Braga was sacked in 985 and two years later Almançor captured Coimbra, Seia
Seia () is a municipality in Guarda District in Portugal. The population in 2021 was 21,755, in an area of . Its urban population is about 7,000. Seia was elevated to city status on July 3, 1986. The municipality is situated on the northwestern slo ...
, Viseu
Viseu () is a city and municipality in the Centro Region of Portugal and the capital of the district of the same name, with a population of 100,000 inhabitants, and center of the Viseu Dão Lafões intermunipical community, with 267,633 inhabita ...
and Lamego
Lamego (; cel-x-proto, Lamecum) is a city and municipality in the Viseu District, in the Norte Region, Portugal, Norte Region of the Douro Subregion, Douro in northern Portugal. Located on the shores of the Balsemão River, the municipality has a ...
.
Reconquest of Coimbra 1055-1064
Civil-war broke out in the Caliphate of Cordoba in 1009 and this would ultimately result in the fragmentation of the Andaluz into several independent and rival emirates or taifa
The ''taifas'' (singular ''taifa'', from ar, طائفة ''ṭā'ifa'', plural طوائف ''ṭawā'if'', a party, band or faction) were the independent Muslim principalities and kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula (modern Portugal and Spain), re ...
states, a circumstance which benefitted the christian kingdoms to the north.
In 1028 Alfonso V of León
Alfonso V (c. 9947 August 1028), called the Noble, was King of León from 999 to 1028. Like other kings of León, he used the title emperor () to assert his standing among the Christian rulers of Spain. He succeeded his father, Bermudo II, in 99 ...
sieged Viseu
Viseu () is a city and municipality in the Centro Region of Portugal and the capital of the district of the same name, with a population of 100,000 inhabitants, and center of the Viseu Dão Lafões intermunipical community, with 267,633 inhabita ...
, however he was killed in the action by a crossbow bolt
A bolt or quarrel is a dart-like projectile used by crossbows. The name "quarrel" is derived from the French word ''carré'', meaning square, referring to their typically square heads. Although their lengths vary, bolts are typically shorter an ...
shot from the walls.
On October 14, 1034, Gonçalo Trastamires da Maia reconquered Montemor-o-Velho
Montemor-o-Velho () is a town and concelho, municipality of the Coimbra District, in Portugal. The population of the municipality in 2011 was 26,171, in an area of 228.96 km².
History
In 711, the Muslim invasion of Iberia, Arab occupation ...
, thus bringing the border to the Mondego river.[H. V. Livermore: ]
A New History of Portugal
', Cambridge University Press, 1966, p. 39.
In 1054, Emperor Ferdinand I of León
Ferdinand I ( 1015 – 24 December 1065), called the Great (''el Magno''), was the count of Castile from his uncle's death in 1029 and the king of León after defeating his brother-in-law in 1037. According to tradition, he was the first to have h ...
prepared a military campaign in Tierra de Campos
Tierra de Campos ("Land of Fields") is a large historical and natural region or greater comarca that straddles the provinces of León, Zamora, Valladolid and Palencia, in Castile and León, Spain. It is a vast, desolate plain with practically ...
with the intention of recapturing the territories which had been lost to the Muslims in the west of the peninsula. In the summer of the following year he crossed the river Douro from Zamora and entered Portugal. Between 1055 and 1063 the emperor captured the castle of Seia on the slopes of the Estrela Mountainrange; the castle of Tarouca
Tarouca () is a municipality and a city in Viseu District in Norte Region and Douro Subregion in Portugal. The population in 2011 was 8,046, in an area of 100.08 km2.
The city of Tarouca proper has about 3,400 residents; it was promoted to c ...
; Lamego
Lamego (; cel-x-proto, Lamecum) is a city and municipality in the Viseu District, in the Norte Region, Portugal, Norte Region of the Douro Subregion, Douro in northern Portugal. Located on the shores of the Balsemão River, the municipality has a ...
on November 29, 1057; the castle of Marialva
The Castle of Marialva ( pt, Castelo de Marialva) is a Portuguese castle in Mêda, Guarda. It has been listed as a National monument since 1978.
External linksMarialva Castleat IPPAR
Marialva
Marialva
Marialva is a municipality in the ...
; Viseu was recaptured on July 25, 1057, the attack on this city having been encouraged by the spirit of retaliation after the death of Afonso V during the unsuccessful siege of 1028. São Martinho de Mouro, Travanca, and Penalva do Castelo
Penalva do Castelo () is a municipality in the district Viseu in Portugal. The population in 2011 was 7,956, in an area of 134.34 km2.
The present mayor is Francisco Lopes de Carvalho, elected by the Socialist Party. The municipal holiday is ...
were also recaptured.
In 1063, the Emperor carried out a large raid against the taifas of Seville
Seville (; es, Sevilla, ) is the capital and largest city of the Spanish autonomous community of Andalusia and the province of Seville. It is situated on the lower reaches of the River Guadalquivir, in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula ...
and Badajoz
Badajoz (; formerly written ''Badajos'' in English) is the capital of the Province of Badajoz in the autonomous community of Extremadura, Spain. It is situated close to the Portuguese border, on the left bank of the river Guadiana. The population ...
, from which he began receiving tribute and in this same year the mozarabic lord of Tentúgal
Tentúgal is a parish of Montemor-o-Velho Municipality, Coimbra District, Portugal. The population in 2011 was 2,141, in an area of 34.29 km². The village is well known in Portugal for its old and unique conventual cakes, most notably the '' ...
, Dom Sisnando Davides proposed to Emperor Ferdinand the capture of nearby Coimbra. Dom Sesnando had served in the Court of Cordoba and married the daughter of the last count of Portugal.
The Emperor accepted the proposal and an expedition was prepared in December. After a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela is the capital of the autonomous community of Galicia, in northwestern Spain. The city has its origin in the shrine of Saint James the Great, now the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, as the destination of the Way of St ...
that included the entire royal family, Coimbra was beset on January 20, 1064, and fell to Christian hands on July 9, 1064, after a six-month siege.[
Dom Sesnando was attributed the city and the region as Count of Coimbra, a position which he would hold until his death in 1091.][
]
Founding of the County of Santarém, 1093
When Emperor Ferdinand died in 1065, his realm was divided among this three sons and Garcia received the Kingdom of Galicia
The Kingdom of Galicia ( gl, Reino de Galicia, or ''Galiza''; es, Reino de Galicia; pt, Reino da Galiza; la, Galliciense Regnum) was a political entity located in southwestern Europe, which at its territorial zenith occupied the entire north ...
with the counties of Portugal and Coimbra. Six years later, Count Nuno Mendes of Portugal revolted but was defeated and killed at the Battle of Pedroso
The Battle of Pedroso was fought on 18 January 1071, in Pedroso, near Braga, Portugal.
Forces under García II, the King of Galicia, defeated those under Nuno II Mendes, the last count of Portugal of the House of Vímara Peres
Vímara PeresV ...
. The title and office of Count of Portugal was abolished and Portugal lost its autonomy.
In 1090, Raymond of Burgundy
Raymond of Burgundy (c. 1070 – 24 May 1107) was the ruler of Galicia as vassal of Alfonso VI of León and Castile, the Emperor of All Spain, from about 1090 until his death. He was the fourth son of Count William I of Burgundy and Stephanie. He ...
married the daughter and heir of Emperor Alfonso VI
An emperor (from la, imperator, via fro, empereor) is a monarch, and usually the sovereignty, sovereign ruler of an empire or another type of imperial realm. Empress, the female equivalent, may indicate an emperor's wife (empress consort), ...
and later received the title of count of Galicia
The Kingdom of Galicia ( gl, Reino de Galicia, or ''Galiza''; es, Reino de Galicia; pt, Reino da Galiza; la, Galliciense Regnum) was a political entity located in southwestern Europe, which at its territorial zenith occupied the entire north ...
with authority over all the territory in the west of the peninsula from Galicia to Coimbra. The mozarabic count of Coimbra Martim Moniz de Ribadouro was sacked from his position and relegated to the minor governorship of Arouca.
At a time when the Almoravid emir Yusuf Ibn Tashfin
Yusuf ibn Tashfin, also Tashafin, Teshufin, ( ar, يوسف بن تاشفين ناصر الدين بن تالاكاكين الصنهاجي , Yūsuf ibn Tāshfīn Naṣr al-Dīn ibn Tālākakīn al-Ṣanhājī ; reigned c. 1061 – 1106) was l ...
sought to annex all the small taifa stats in the peninsula, the emir of Badajoz offered to become a tributary vassal and to hand over the cities of Lisbon
Lisbon (; pt, Lisboa ) is the capital and largest city of Portugal, with an estimated population of 544,851 within its administrative limits in an area of 100.05 km2. Grande Lisboa, Lisbon's urban area extends beyond the city's administr ...
, Sintra
Sintra (, ) is a town and municipality in the Greater Lisbon region of Portugal, located on the Portuguese Riviera. The population of the municipality in 2011 was 377,835, in an area of . Sintra is one of the most urbanized and densely populated ...
and Santarém to the Emperor of Leon in exchange for military protection.[
The Emperor was in Coimbra on April 22, 1093, and on the occasion confirmed the charter of privileges of this city. Lisbon, Sintra and Santarém were then occupied between April 30 and May 8, 1093. Soeiro Mendes was tasked with defending the territory as Count of Santarém.] Mendes was subordinate to Raymond, tasked with defending all the territory from Galicia to the Tagus.
Almoravid campaigns, 1094-1117
The delivery of territory to Christians caused outrage among Muslims in Andaluz and the Maghreb and the residents of Santarém, Lisbon and Sintra requested the Almoravid emir Yusuf Ibn Tashfin
Yusuf ibn Tashfin, also Tashafin, Teshufin, ( ar, يوسف بن تاشفين ناصر الدين بن تالاكاكين الصنهاجي , Yūsuf ibn Tāshfīn Naṣr al-Dīn ibn Tālākakīn al-Ṣanhājī ; reigned c. 1061 – 1106) was l ...
to intervene on their behalf, shortly after Soeiro Mendes had taken possession of the territory.[H. V. Livermore: ]
A History Of Portugal
', Cambridge University Press, 1947, p. 47.
A few months later in 1093 still, the Almoravid general Seyr landed in Iberia with a numerous army and orders to annex Badajoz, Lisbon, Sintra and Santarém.[
Badajoz was attacked in the Spring of 1094. The emir of the city along with his children were assassinated and the city taken before Raymon could intervene.][ Count Raymond gathered a force at Coimbra along with the Bishops of Santiago and Lugo and many Galician knights however upon marching out he was routed in battle and forced to return to Christian territory.
]
Loss of Lisbon and Sintra, 1094
Lisbon and Sintra surrendered to the Almoravids in 1094. Besieged by Almoravid forces, Soeiro Mendes, resisted vigorously in Santarém until Seyr withdrew to north Africa.
Count Raymonds lack of capacity against the Muslims dictated his loss of prestige at the Leonese Court. In 1096 his cousin Henry
Henry may refer to:
People
*Henry (given name)
*Henry (surname)
* Henry Lau, Canadian singer and musician who performs under the mononym Henry
Royalty
* Portuguese royalty
** King-Cardinal Henry, King of Portugal
** Henry, Count of Portugal, ...
was made new Count of Portugal and attributed the territory between the river Minho and Mondego.
In 1102, count Henry defeated a Muslim force at the Battle of Arouca, together with Egas Moniz.
Loss of Santarém, 1111
In 1110 Count Henry dispatched the adail Soeiro Fromarigues to Santarém with a number of troops to reinforce the city against the almoravids, who threatened the southern frontier. These forces were however attacked while encamped at Vatalandi, an unknown location close to the Tagus. Soeiro Fromarigues and the knight Miro Crescones were killed in action.
The following year, Santarém was again besieged by an army led by Seyr. Lacking sufficient forces to resist effectively or sure relief, the city fell to the Almoravids and the county of Santarém was abolished.
Count Henry died in 1112 and his wife Teresa
Teresa (also Theresa, Therese; french: Thérèse) is a feminine given name.
It originates in the Iberian Peninsula in late antiquity. Its derivation is uncertain, it may be derived from Greek θερίζω (''therízō'') "to harvest or re ...
took over as regent for their young son Afonso Henriques
Afonso I of PortugalOr also ''Affonso'' (Archaic Portuguese-Galician) or ''Alphonso'' (Portuguese-Galician) or ''Alphonsus'' (Latin version), sometimes rendered in English as ''Alphonzo'' or ''Alphonse'', depending on the Spanish or French inf ...
.
Almoravid campaigns, 1116-1117
New Almoravid attacks had been expected ever since the death of Count Henry, however only in 1116 did an Almoravid army commanded by Abd al-Malik advance against Coimbra and its territory.[H. V. Livermore: ]
A History Of Portugal
', Cambridge University Press, 1947, pp. 55-56. The Almoravids massacred the garrison of the castle of Miranda da Beira and captured the garrison of Santa Eulália, including its alcaide Diogo Galinha. The inhabitants of Soure abandoned their castle and sought refuge in Coimbra. Its outskirts were attacked and destroyed, after which the Almoravids withdrew south.
This same year the Almoravids captured Mallorca
Mallorca, or Majorca, is the largest island in the Balearic Islands, which are part of Spain and located in the Mediterranean.
The capital of the island, Palma, is also the capital of the autonomous community of the Balearic Islands. The Bal ...
, the last independent taifa state in Iberia, thus bringing the entirety of the Andaluz under their authority.
Coimbra was attacked in 1117 by the Almoravid emir Ali Ibn Yusuf
Ali ibn Yusuf (also known as "Ali Ben Youssef") () (born 1084 died 26 January 1143) was the 5th Almoravid emir. He reigned from 1106–1143.
Biography
Ali ibn Yusuf was born in 1084 in Ceuta. He was the son of Yusuf ibn T ...
at the head of a large army which included both Africans as well as Andalucians, "as many as the grains of sand of the sea" according to one source.[ On this occasion the Almoravids landed at ]Montemor-o-Velho
Montemor-o-Velho () is a town and concelho, municipality of the Coimbra District, in Portugal. The population of the municipality in 2011 was 26,171, in an area of 228.96 km².
History
In 711, the Muslim invasion of Iberia, Arab occupation ...
and proceeded to sack the outer suburbs from there, capturing and killing people. The Portuguese once more sought refuge behind the walls of Coimbra, where the regent-Countess Teresa could be found at this time.
The city was subjected to almost daily assaults beginning in late June, but the Almoravids were unable to capture Coimbra. After 20 days Ali Ibn Yusuf withdrew to Seville in early July. Keeping Coimbra would have proven difficult for the Almoravids.
Thousands perished in the attack. The siege of Coimbra marked the height of Almoravid power in Iberia. After the successful defense of Coimbra, Teresa henceforth signed as "queen".
In 1128, the Templars
, colors = White mantle with a red cross
, colors_label = Attire
, march =
, mascot = Two knights riding a single horse
, equipment ...
settled in Portugal after Teresa donated the Castle of Soure
The Castle of Soure ( pt, Castelo de Soure) is a Portuguese castle in the civil parish of Soure, municipality of Soure, district of Coimbra
Coimbra (, also , , or ) is a city and a municipality in Portugal. The population of the municipalit ...
to the Order. The castle had been erected close to Coimbra in the second half of the 11th century by Sisnando Davides, on the road that connected Coimbra to Lisbon.
First actions of Afonso Henriques 1135-1142
After the Battle of São Mamede
The Battle of São Mamede ( pt, Batalha de São Mamede, ) took place on 24 June 1128 near Guimarães and is considered the seminal event for the foundation of the Kingdom of Portugal and the battle that ensured Portugal's Independence. Portugues ...
, Afonso Henriques
Afonso I of PortugalOr also ''Affonso'' (Archaic Portuguese-Galician) or ''Alphonso'' (Portuguese-Galician) or ''Alphonsus'' (Latin version), sometimes rendered in English as ''Alphonzo'' or ''Alphonse'', depending on the Spanish or French inf ...
took over the government of the county of Portugal. In 1135 founded the Castle of Leiria
The Castle of Leiria ( pt, Castelo de Leiria) is a medieval castle in the civil parish of Leiria, Pousos, Barreira e Cortes, municipality of Leiria, district of Leiria.
History
The castle of Leiria was built by D. Afonso Henriques for the pu ...
, roughly half way between Coimbra and Santarém, defending an important road between the two cities. Its garrison was tasked not only with defending the access to Coimbra from the south, but also to attack Santarém and its surrounding territory, raiding fields, capturing persons, ambushing caravans until the city was weak enough to be taken by assault. The founding of Leiria was the first hostile act carried out by Afonso towards the muslims. Torres Novas
Torres Novas () is a Portuguese municipality in the district of Santarém, in the Médio Tejo of the Centro region. The population of the municipality was approximately 36,717 (from the 2011 census), with the city of Torres Novas (seat of the muni ...
was also captured.
Dom Paio Guterres was left as alcaide of Leiria and he launched so many successful attacks against the territory of Santarém that in 1137 the castle was assaulted and razed, with over 250 men among knights and footmen being killed.[Livermore, 1947, p.63.]
/ref> Torres Novas was lost. A Portuguese force was also wiped out close to the banks of the River Nabão, modern-day Tomar River.[ Leiria was later recaptured.
]
The Battle of Ourique 1139
After the Treaty of Tuy
The Treaty of Tuy ( es, Tratado de Tuy; pt, Tratado de Tui) was a treaty signed in Tuy, the Kingdom of León, in 1137 between the Count of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, and the King of León, Alfonso VII the Emperor. It put an end to the Portugu ...
was signed and peace sealed with Emperor Alfonso VII of León, king Afonso Henriques led a major raid in Muslim territory. The moment was well selected as the Leonese had laid sieged Oreja and the Almoravids would have been preoccupied with aiding the beleaguered castle. Little resistance could thus be mounted by the western garrisons against the Portuguese king and his troops, who faced little resistance as they advanced.[Miguel Gomes Martins: ''De Ourique a Aljubarrota - A Guerra Na Idade Média'', A Esfera dos Livros, 2011, pp. 39-57.]
The Portuguese numbered about 800 to 1000 knights and 1600 to 2000 footmen, among spearmen and crossbowmen. On their way back they were intercepted by a Muslim force commanded by "Esmar", likely the governor of Cordoba Muhammad Az-Zubayr Ibn Umar at Ourique. The Muslim commander had gathered whatever forces could be collected from Beja, Badajoz
Badajoz (; formerly written ''Badajos'' in English) is the capital of the Province of Badajoz in the autonomous community of Extremadura, Spain. It is situated close to the Portuguese border, on the left bank of the river Guadiana. The population ...
, Évora
Évora ( , ) is a city and a municipality in Portugal. It has 53,591 inhabitants (2021), in an area of 1307.08 km2. It is the historic capital of the Alentejo and serves as the seat of the Évora District.
Due to its well-preserved old to ...
, Seville
Seville (; es, Sevilla, ) is the capital and largest city of the Spanish autonomous community of Andalusia and the province of Seville. It is situated on the lower reaches of the River Guadalquivir, in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula ...
and Elvas
Elvas () is a Portuguese municipality, former episcopal city and frontier fortress of easternmost central Portugal, located in the district of Portalegre in Alentejo. It is situated about east of Lisbon, and about west of the Spanish fortress ...
, thereby forming a relatively numerous host.
When they attempted to attack the Portuguese camp set upon a hill however, the Portuguese sallied out to meet them on the open field and routed them with a heavy cavalry
Heavy cavalry was a class of cavalry intended to deliver a battlefield charge and also to act as a Military reserve, tactical reserve; they are also often termed ''shock cavalry''. Although their equipment differed greatly depending on the re ...
charge.
On the day of the Battle of Ourique, Afonso was acclaimed as king by his men in the old germanic fashion, by being raised atop his shiled. Henceforth he signed always as "rex".
First siege of Lisbon, 1142
After the Battle of Ourique, a Muslim force under the command of Ismar attacked Leiria in 1140 and once again razed it. The Muslims then marched on Portugal and raided the territory as far as Trancoso.
Once peace was signed with Emperor Alfonso VII of Leon after the Battle of Valdevez
The Battle of Valdevez ( pt, Torneio de Arcos de Valdevez) took place at Arcos de Valdevez on the banks of the river Vez between the Kingdom of León and the Kingdom of Portugal in the summer of 1140 or 1141. It is one of only two pitched battles ...
, Afonso Henriques marched south with his men, crossed the Douro river
The Douro (, , ; es, Duero ; la, Durius) is the highest-flow river of the Iberian Peninsula. It rises near Duruelo de la Sierra in Soria Province, central Spain, meanders south briefly then flows generally west through the north-west part of ...
close to Lamego, and routed the Muslims at Trancoso, which he expelt from the territory. On his way back from this campaign he founded the Monastery of Tarouca.[Alexandre Herculano: ]
História de Portugal
', I, p. 266.
In 1142, a fleet of English and Norman crusaders who had departed from Southampton and Hasting on their way to the Holy Land called at Gaia
In Greek mythology, Gaia (; from Ancient Greek , a poetical form of , 'land' or 'earth'),, , . also spelled Gaea , is the personification of the Earth and one of the Greek primordial deities. Gaia is the ancestral mother—sometimes parthenog ...
, blown off-course due to bad weather. King Afonso convinced them to support his projected campaign against Lisbon, the ownership of which would yield him the control of all the territory between Leiria and the Tagus in one fell swoop.
The crusader fleet sailed up the Tagus as the Portuguese attacked Lisbon on the land side, however the attack had to be called off due to disagreements between the crusaders and Afonso.
Definitive conquest of Lisbon and Santarém 1142-1147
Afonso probably refounded the Castle of Leiria on his return ot Coimbra from his failed attack on Lisbon. This was the first step towards the recapture of the Extremadura to the Tagus.
Peace was sealed with Leon in 1143 by the Treaty of Zamora
The Treaty of Zamora (5 October 1143) recognized Portuguese independence from the Kingdom of León. Based on the terms of the accord, King Alfonso VII of León recognized the Kingdom of Portugal in the presence of his cousin King Afonso I of Por ...
, thereby securing the northern Portuguese border against Leonese attack.
In 1144 the Almoravids left Santarém and pillaged the Templar castle of Soure under the command of Esmar, who took the defenders captive. On that same year Almoravid power in Iberia began to crumble when the muridun staged a revolt in the Gharb Al Gharbiyah ( ar, ٱلْـغَـرْبِـيَّـة 'western'), or Gharb ( 'west'), or variants may refer to:
* Al Gharbia, Abu Dhabi
* Western Region, Bahrain
* Għarb, Gozo, Malta
* Gharbia Governorate, Egypt
* Gharb Al-Andalus or Al-Gharb, for ...
, led by the sufi mystic Ibn Qasi.[H. V. Livermore: ]
A New History of Portugal
', Cambridge University Press, 1966, p. 56.
The muridun split in 1145 and Ibn Qasi was deposed by Ibn Wazir of Évora.[ That same year, Afonso Henriques led a raid into Muslim territory that reached as far as Beja, from which he and his party returned loaded with spoils.][Selvagem, 1931, p. 44.] In 1145 still, the Templars were granted the castle of Longroiva by Afonso Henriques' sister and her husband Fernão Mendes de Bragança.
Conquest of Santarém, 1147
In order to spy the defenses of Santarém, Afonso dispatched Mem Ramires to the city under the pretext of speaking with the templars taken captive at Soure. The moment to attack Santarém had been well picked as the Almoravid authority was disintegrating in Iberia and in Africa due to revolts, especially because of the Almohads.
On March 10 the king departed from Coimbra with 250 men, among templar knights and footmen and at the end of five days march done by night and by secondary paths, they camped at Pernes. By dawn of the following day, the walls of Santarém were scaled by a small group of men commanded by Mem Ramires, who then opened the gates to the king and his men, waiting outside. Thus the city fell under Portuguese control.
The definitive conquest of Lisbon, 1147
After the fall of Edessa
The siege of Edessa (Arabic, ''fatḥ al-Ruhāʾ'', ) took place from November 28 to December 24, 1144, resulting in the fall of the capital of the crusader County of Edessa to Zengi, the atabeg of Mosul and Aleppo. This event was the catal ...
, Pope Eugenius III
Pope Eugene III ( la, Eugenius III; c. 1080 – 8 July 1153), born Bernardo Pignatelli, or possibly Paganelli, called Bernardo da Pisa, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 15 February 1145 to his death in 1153. He w ...
called for a new crusade and under these circumstances a new crusader fleet totalling 164 ships anchored at Porto on June 16, 1147, on their way to the Middle East. The Bishop of Porto
The Portuguese Roman Catholic Diocese of Porto ( la, Dioecesis Portugallensis) (Oporto) is a suffragan of the archdiocese of Braga. Its see at Porto is in the Norte region, and the second largest city in Portugal.
History
The diocese was pro ...
Pedro Pitões II convinced them to participate in the projected siege to Lisbon.
The host of Afonso Henriques departed from Coimbra on 6 of June and when the crusader fleet sailed up the Tagus on June 28, the Portuguese had already pitched camp in Mount São Gens, to the north. The king was accompanied by some of the most distinguished figures among the nobility at the time, such as Fernão Mendes II of Braganza and the royal ensign Fernão Peres Cativo, along with other minor nobles such as Martim Moniz
Martim Moniz (; died 1147) was a Portugal, Portuguese knight of Nobility, noble birth, and famous figure in the Siege of Lisbon in 1147.
According to the legend, Martim Moniz was a knight participating in the Christians, Christian invasion force, ...
, who would perish in the siege. The Portuguese probably numbered about 3000 men, while the crusaders totalled 10,000 to 13,000 persons.
On June 29 the king met with the main crusader leaders in order to decide how the spoils would be divided, and it was agreed that the crusaders would keep whatever plunder they carry, the prisoners and their ransom, as well as future trading rights, while the king would keep the city and its houses, so he could reward them as a prize to the participants of the siege who expressed the desire to settle in Lisbon.
The Muslims refused an offer to surrender peacefully. The English and Normans pitched their camp to the west of the city while the Germans and Flemish chose the place where the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora
The Church and Monastery of São Vicente de Fora, meaning "Monastery of St. Vincent Outside the Walls", is a 17th-century church and monastery in the city of Lisbon, Portugal. It is one of the most important monasteries and mannerist buildings in ...
now stands. A harsh siege followed in which the outer suburbs were violently taken and traction trebuchtes, underground mines and a large movable siege tower were used. At the end of three months and 20 days the Muslim defenders were severely afflicted by hunger and plague due to a lack of room to bury the dead and asked to surrender. The king solemnly entered the city on October 25.[Miguel Gomes Martins: De Ourique a Aljubarrota - A Guerra Na Idade Média, A Esfera dos Livros, 2011, pp. 79-101]
First progress south of the Tagus, 1147-1189
Almada
Almada () is a city and a municipality in Portugal, located on the southern margin of the Tagus River, on the opposite side of the river from Lisbon. The two cities are connected by the 25 de Abril Bridge. The population in 2011 was 174,030, in a ...
on the southern bank of the Tagus
The Tagus ( ; es, Tajo ; pt, Tejo ; see #Name, below) is the longest river in the Iberian Peninsula. The river rises in the Montes Universales near Teruel, in mid-eastern Spain, flows , generally west with two main south-westward sections ...
was taken during the siege of Lisbon, while Palmela
Palmela () is a town and a municipality in Portugal. The population in 2011 was 62,831, in an area of 465.12 km².
The municipality is located in the Lisboa Region and Setúbal District, about south of Lisbon. The municipal holiday is 1 Ju ...
was abandoned by its garrison once Lisbon fell.
Óbidos was scaled during the night and forcibly taken by a group of men led by Gonçalo Mendes da Maia
Gonçalo Mendes da Maia (1079? in Maia? – 1170 in Alentejo), also known as ''O Lidador'' (The Toiler), so named for his fearlessness in the struggle against the Saracens, was a Portuguese knight of the time of Afonso Henriques, about whom tradi ...
on 11 January 1148.
Afonso Henriques tried to personally take Alcácer do Sal
Alcácer do Sal () is a municipality in Portugal, located in Setúbal District. The population in 2011 was 13,046, in an area of 1499.87 km2.
History Earliest settlement
There has been human settlement in the area for more than 40,000 ye ...
by surprise in 1151 at the head of a party of men, like he had done at Santarém, however the Portuguese were detected and the king wounded, hence he returned to Lisbon. After three years at peace, Alcácer do Sal was attacked by Afonso Henriques, however the Muslim stronghold resisted. A third attack was made against Alcácer in 1157 with the support of a crusader fleet commanded by the count of Flanders Thierry of Alsace
Theoderic ( nl, Diederik, french: Thierry, german: Dietrich; – 17 January 1168), commonly known as Thierry of Alsace, was the fifteenth count of Flanders from 1128 to 1168. With a record of four campaigns in the Levant and Africa (including pa ...
however the Christians were rebuffed once more.[ In April 1158 Alcácer was taken at the end of a sixty days siege.][Kenneth Meyer Setton, Harry W. Hazard: ]
A History of the Crusades
', Volume III, Univ of Wisconsin Press, 1975, p. 413
Beja was taken by militiamen from Santarém in December 1159 but it was abandoned on April of the following year.
A pitched battle took place in Alentejo between the Almohads and the Portuguese, who were routed. Beja was attacked and plundered once more by the Portuguese in late November 1162.
In 1165 Sesimbra
Sesimbra () is a municipality of Portugal, in the Setúbal District, lying at the foothills of the ''Serra da Arrábida'', a mountain range between Setúbal and Sesimbra. Due to its particular position at the Setúbal Bay, near the mouth of the Sa ...
was taken by force and Palmela, which had since been reoccupied by the Muslims, surrendered to Afonso Henriques. In November 30 of this same year, king Afonso donated the castle of Monsanto
The Castle of Monsanto ( pt, Castelo de Monsanto) is a medieval castle located in the civil parish of Monsanto e Idanha-a-Velha, in the municipality of Idanha-a-Nova, Portuguese district of Castelo Branco.
History
The site was likely the l ...
to the Templars. Still in 1165, Geraldo the Fearless took Trujillo and Évora
Évora ( , ) is a city and a municipality in Portugal. It has 53,591 inhabitants (2021), in an area of 1307.08 km2. It is the historic capital of the Alentejo and serves as the seat of the Évora District.
Due to its well-preserved old to ...
, both in the middle of the night and then offered the latter city to Afonso Henriques, apparently in exchange for a large sum of money, and the king then made him its alcaide. The following year Geraldo took Cáceres, Montánchez
Montánchez is a municipality located in the province of Cáceres, Extremadura, Spain.
It is situated at , some 702 metres above sea level. The municipality has an approximate population of just over 2,000.
The town sits in the Sierra de Montánc ...
, Alconchel
Alconchel is a Spanish municipality in the province of Badajoz, Extremadura
Extremadura (; ext, Estremaúra; pt, Estremadura; Fala: ''Extremaúra'') is an autonomous community of Spain. Its capital city is Mérida, and its largest city ...
, Serpa
Serpa () is a city and a Concelho (municipality) in the central Portuguese region Alentejo. The population in 2011 was 15,623, in an area of . The Guadiana River flows close to the town of Serpa.
History
Serpa has its origins in early settlem ...
and Juromenha
Juromenha is a town in southeastern Portugal, near the border with Spain. It is part of Alandroal Municipality.
See also
*Castelo de Juromenha
Castelo de Juromenha is a castle in Portugal located in Juromenha. It is classified by IGESPAR as a ...
, the last of which became Geraldos base for attacks against the major city of Badajoz
Badajoz (; formerly written ''Badajos'' in English) is the capital of the Province of Badajoz in the autonomous community of Extremadura, Spain. It is situated close to the Portuguese border, on the left bank of the river Guadiana. The population ...
. In 1166 still the warrior monks of a recently created Catholic military Order settled at Évora, however by order of the Pope they were then integrated in the Order of Calatrava
The Order of Calatrava ( es, Orden de Calatrava, pt, Ordem de Calatrava) was one of the four Spanish military orders and the first military order founded in Castile, but the second to receive papal approval. The papal bull confirming the Orde ...
.
In 1167, Gonçalo Mendes da Maia captured the Castle of Noudar
The Castle of Noudar ( pt, Castelo de Noudar), is a Portuguese medieval castle in the civil parish and municipality of Barrancos, in the district of Beja.
History
The settlement (sometimes referred to as Nodar or Noudall) was founded in 1167, b ...
.
The siege of Badajoz, 1169
Badajoz was one of the most important Almohad fortresses in the Andaluz and its authorities paid tribute to the Emperor of León.[H. V. Livermore: ]
A History Of Portugal
', Cambridge University Press, 1947, p. 85. Due to the constant civil strife, its surrounding territory was by then depopulated.
War broke out between Portugal and León in 1167 and two years later Badajoz was attacked by Gerald the Fearless and his men, who scaled the walls and took over the city. Its garrison however withdrew to its high citadel, which the men of Geraldes proved unable to take hence they requested aid from Afonso Henriques.
The host of the Portuguese king arrived at Badajoz and settled within the city, however the defenders still in the high citadel were unexpectedly relieved not by the Almohad Caliph but by the Emperor of León and his army. When Afonso attempted to sally out with his men on horseback he broke his leg against the city gates and was then captured by the Leonese in Caia.[
The Emperor of León treated the Portuguese king fairly and courteously, however Afonso Henriques still had to pay a king's ransom and relinquish captured territory in Galicia in exchange for liberty, which was granted after two months captivity.][ Though he spent some time at the São Pedro do Sul springs recovering, he was never able to ride a horse again.][
Geraldo the Fearless was also captured, and was forced to relinquish the castles of Trujillo, Montanchez, Santa Cruz and Monfrague in exchange for his freedom.][Muguel Gomes Martins: ''Guerreiros Medievais Portugueses'', A Esfera dos Livros, 2013, pp. 42-46.]
Almohad attacks 1170-1184
The debacle of Badajoz in 1169 did not demoralize the Portuguese. Just a few months after the siege, Geraldo the Fearless resumed the raids against the region of Badajoz and after luring its garrison out via a feigned attack and retreat he ambushed it and routed it completely.[ On 15 May 1170 he captured a large Almohad caravan of supplies dispatched to relieve the famine in Badajoz. As king Afonso was now physically unable to ride and therefore lead his host on campaign, prince Sancho was knighted at the Church of Santa Cruz in Coimbra on August 15, 1170. A few weeks later in September the prince led a new siege against the now severely weakened Badajoz but the city was once again relieved on time, not just by Leonese forces but by an Almohad army commanded by ]Abu Hafs Umar ibn Yahya al-Hintati
Abū Ḥafṣ ʿUmar b. Yaḥyā al-Hintātī (, born Faskāt ū-Mzāl Īntī; c. 482–571 Hijri / 1090–1175 or 1176), chief of the Hintata, was a close companion of Ibn Tumart and a shaper of the Almohad Empire greatly responsible for the unif ...
as well.[ The Portuguese therefore withdrew in good order in October or early November.][
Alarmed by the attacks on Badajoz, the Almohads mounted an incursion into Portugal in 1170 and attacked Beja. A short combat was struck by the city walls in April and in July the Muslims were forced to lift the siege. The preceptor of the Templars in Portugal Dom Gualdim Pais promoted the renovation of ]Almourol Castle
The Castle of Almourol is a medieval castle atop the islet of Almourol in the middle of the Tagus River, located in the civil parish of Praia do Ribatejo, from the municipal seat of Vila Nova da Barquinha, in Portugal's Centre Region. The castl ...
in 1171. On invitation of King Afonso, the Order of Santiago
The Order of Santiago (; es, Orden de Santiago ), is a religious and military order founded in the 12th century. It owes its name to the Patron Saint of Spain, "Santiago" ( St. James the Greater). Its initial objective was to protect the pilgr ...
established itself in Portugal in 1172 after they were granted the castle of Monsanto
The Castle of Monsanto ( pt, Castelo de Monsanto) is a medieval castle located in the civil parish of Monsanto e Idanha-a-Velha, in the municipality of Idanha-a-Nova, Portuguese district of Castelo Branco.
History
The site was likely the l ...
(formerly in the ownership of the Templars) and the castle of Abrantes the following year.[Jensen: 2016, p. 151.]
/ref>
A truce was then agreed-upon between Afonso Henriques and the Almohads. After this truce was signed, Geraldo the Fearless left the service of king Afonso with 350 men and sought employment under the Almohads, who stationed him in north-Africa. In 1176, the Portuguese king donated Coruche
Coruche () is a municipality in Santarém District in Portugal. The population in 2011 was 19,944, in an area of 1115.72 km².
The present Mayor is Francisco Silvestre de Oliveira, elected by the Socialist Party.
The Coruche City Council ha ...
to the Order of Calatrava, as its castle guarded the road that linked Santarém to Évora.
Once the truce with the Muslims was over, prince Sancho
The name Sancho is an Iberian name of Basque origin (Santxo, Santzo, Santso, Antzo, Sans). Sancho stems from the Latin name Sanctius.Eichler, Ernst; Hilty, Gerold; Löffler, Heinrich; Steger, Hugo; Zgusta, Ladislav: ''Namenforschung/Name Studies/ ...
led a great raid deep into Muslim territory and in November 1178 he reached the city of Seville, the suburbs of which he pillaged.[Livermore, 1947, p. 87.]
/ref>
The reprisals for Sanchos daring "Triana Raid" as it came to be known were quick to follow and in 1179 the Almohads invaded Portugal for the second time. They attacked Abrantes
Abrantes () is a concelho, municipality in the Centro Region, Portugal, central Médio Tejo Subregion, Médio Tejo subregion of Portugal. The population was 39,325, in an area of . The municipality includes several parishes divided by the Tagus ...
, whose castle they were unable to take. A Muslim fleet also raided the suburbs of Lisbon.[
A major landmark in Portuguese history was achieved in 1179 as by the Papal decree '']Manifestis Probatum
''Manifestis Probatum'' is a papal bull dated 23 May 1179, in which Pope Alexander III officially recognised the ruler and self-proclaimed king Afonso Henriques as the first sovereign King of Portugal.
The Papacy did not at first recognize the l ...
'', Portugal was acknowledged as an independent kingdom by the Vatican, largely as a result of the efforts by king Afonso against the Muslims.
In 1180 the Almohads attacked Portugal a third time. A fleet of galleys
A galley is a type of ship that is propelled mainly by oars. The galley is characterized by its long, slender hull, shallow draft, and low freeboard (clearance between sea and gunwale). Virtually all types of galleys had sails that could be used ...
departed from Seville to raid the Portuguese coast on this year and under these circumstances the Battle of Cape Espichel was fought on 15 July, in which the first admiral of Portugal Dom Fuas Roupinho defeated the Muslim fleet.[H. V. Livermore: ]
A New History of Portugal
', Cambridge University Press, 1966, p. 66. He then left for Ceuta
Ceuta (, , ; ar, سَبْتَة, Sabtah) is a Spanish autonomous city on the north coast of Africa.
Bordered by Morocco, it lies along the boundary between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of several Spanish territorie ...
and captured the ships on its harbour. In late 1180 an Almohad army departed from Seville under the leadership of Mohammed Ibn Yusuf Ibn Wammudin, who besieged Évora
Évora ( , ) is a city and a municipality in Portugal. It has 53,591 inhabitants (2021), in an area of 1307.08 km2. It is the historic capital of the Alentejo and serves as the seat of the Évora District.
Due to its well-preserved old to ...
, while a detachment destroyed Coruche
Coruche () is a municipality in Santarém District in Portugal. The population in 2011 was 19,944, in an area of 1115.72 km².
The present Mayor is Francisco Silvestre de Oliveira, elected by the Socialist Party.
The Coruche City Council ha ...
e carried its residents and defenders to captivity. While the siege of Évora was ongoing, a Portuguese fleet of 21 galleys commanded by Fuas Roupinho was defeated by a fleet of 51 Muslim galleys.[Carlos Augusto Selvagem: ''Portugal militar: Compêndio de história militar e naval de Portugal : desde as origens do estado portucalense até o fim da Dinastia de Bragança'', 1931, p. 57.] At Évora however, the Almohads were forced to lift the siege and return to Seville.
The Almohad Caliph crossed the Strait of Gibraltar
The Strait of Gibraltar ( ar, مضيق جبل طارق, Maḍīq Jabal Ṭāriq; es, Estrecho de Gibraltar, Archaic: Pillars of Hercules), also known as the Straits of Gibraltar, is a narrow strait that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Medi ...
at the head of a large army in 1184 and moving through Seville and Badajoz invaded Portugal for the fourth time. He besieged Santarém, then defended by Afonso Henriques and his heir prince Sancho. Once the news of the siege of Badajoz spread, king Ferdinand II of Leon gathered an army and marched out to aid the Portuguese.
The Caliph ordered a detachment to attack Lisbon but the orders were poorly transmitted and once part of the army withdrew, the rest of his forces began leaving as well. As he attempted to restore order he was struck and died on the road shortly afterwards., on July 29, 1184
Siege of Silves, 1189
On December 6, 1185, Afonso Henriques passed and his heir succeeded him on the throne as Sancho I. He donated Alcanede Castle to the Order of Calatrava in 1187.
When Jerusalem was conquered by Saladin in October 1187, Pope Gregory VIII called for the third crusade
The Third Crusade (1189–1192) was an attempt by three European monarchs of Western Christianity (Philip II of France, Richard I of England and Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor) to reconquer the Holy Land following the capture of Jerusalem by ...
. Sancho realized that a new wave of crusader fleets would soon pass by the Portuguese coasts on their way to Palestine. In 1189 ships from Denmark
)
, song = ( en, "King Christian stood by the lofty mast")
, song_type = National and royal anthem
, image_map = EU-Denmark.svg
, map_caption =
, subdivision_type = Sovereign state
, subdivision_name = Danish Realm, Kingdom of Denmark
...
and Frisia
Frisia is a cross-border cultural region in Northwestern Europe. Stretching along the Wadden Sea, it encompasses the north of the Netherlands and parts of northwestern Germany. The region is traditionally inhabited by the Frisians, a West Ger ...
called at Lisbon, and in June they attacked the castle of Alvor
The Castle of Alvor is a medieval castle in the civil parish of Alvor, in the Portuguese district of Faro: considered to be a significant military monument associated with the nearby Castle of Silves.
History
The establishment of the first f ...
in Algarve
The Algarve (, , ; from ) is the southernmost NUTS II region of continental Portugal. It has an area of with 467,495 permanent inhabitants and incorporates 16 municipalities ( ''concelhos'' or ''municípios'' in Portuguese).
The region has it ...
. They were accompanied by Portuguese galleys as far as Gibraltar.
A new crusader fleet called at Lisbon in 3 or 4 July and on this occasion king Sancho obtained their support for a planned attack against the major city of Silves Silves may refer to :
Europe
* Silves, Portugal, municipality and former bishopric in Algarve, southern Portugal
** Silves (parish), a civil parish in the municipality of Silves
** Castle of Silves, a medieval castle in civil parish of Silves
...
, the most important one in the Gharb al-Andalus
Gharb al-Andalus ( ar, غرب الأندلس, trans. ''gharb al-ʼandalus''; "west of al-Andalus"), or just al-Gharb ( ar, الغرب, trans. ''al-gharb''; "the west"), was the name given by the Muslims of Iberia to the region of southern mode ...
.
On July 20, 1189, the Portuguese host set up camp close to Silves just as the crusader fleet arrived by sea and sailed up the River Arade. The city was first attacked the following day for about a month and a half it was subjected to a violent siege, in which siege engines were used. The inhabitants surrendered, together with the surrounding castles at Lagos
Lagos (Nigerian English: ; ) is the largest city in Nigeria and the List of cities in Africa by population, second most populous city in Africa, with a population of 15.4 million as of 2015 within the city proper. Lagos was the national ca ...
, Alvor, Portimão
Portimão () is a city and a municipality in the district of Faro, in the Algarve region of southern Portugal. The population in 2011 was 55,614, in an area of 182.06 km2. It was formerly known as Vila Nova de Portimão (). In 1924, it was ...
, Monchique
Monchique () is a municipality of southern Portugal, in Faro District (province of Algarve). The population in 2011 was 6,045, in an area of 395.30 km2.
The Municipality of Monchique is situated in the Serra de Monchique and together with th ...
, Santo Estêvão, Carvoeiro, São Bartolomeu de Messines
São Bartolomeu de Messines, also referred to as Messines, is a town and civil parish in the municipality of Silves, in Algarve region, Portugal. The population of the civil parish in 2011 was 8,430, in an area of 239.87 km2.
History
Traces o ...
, Paderne Paderne may refer to:
;In Portugal
:*Paderne, Albufeira, a parish in the municipality of Albufeira
:*Paderne (Melgaço), a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Melgaço
:*Castle of Paderne, a 12th-century fortification located in the c ...
e Sagres.
The great Almohad campaigns, 1190-1191
The Almohad Caliph Abu Yusuf Yacub al-Mansur had been planning a great campaign against Portugal at least since 1188, even before the conquest of Silves. The taking of this prestigious city by the Portuguese however caused outrage in the Maghreb and the Caliph ordered holy war to be preached. In April 1190 he crossed the Strait of Gibraltar at the head of a large army in besiged Silves in June. The Caliph however left his cousin Sayyid Yahya Ibn Umar at the command of operations and then left for Cordoba, where he met with ambassadors of King Alfonso VIII of Castile
Alfonso VIII (11 November 11555 October 1214), called the Noble (''El Noble'') or the one of Las Navas (''el de las Navas''), was King of Castile from 1158 to his death and King of Toledo. After having suffered a great defeat with his own army at ...
, who accepted a truce, leaving the Almohads free to focus on the planned attack against Portugal.[
]
1190 campaign
From Cordoba, the Almohad Caliph proceeded to invade Portuguese territory, entering through the Alentejo.[Lay, Stephen (2009). ''The Reconquest Kings of Portugal: Political and Cultural Reorientation on the Medieval Frontier''. Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 157–159.]
While Silves was under siege, Torres Novas
Torres Novas () is a Portuguese municipality in the district of Santarém, in the Médio Tejo of the Centro region. The population of the municipality was approximately 36,717 (from the 2011 census), with the city of Torres Novas (seat of the muni ...
foi attacked and taken.[Makki, Mahmoud (1994). "The Political History of al-Andalus (92/711–897/1492)". In Salma Khadra Jayyusi (ed.). The Legacy of Muslim Spain. Brill. pp. 73–74.] Its defenders were granted freedom. The Caliph then personally besieged Tomar, a powerful Templar castle defended by Gualdim Pais, preceptor of the Templars in Portugal. The Caliphs objective however was the important city and stronghold of Santarém.[
]
By chance, at this time a number of crusader ships from northern Europe on their way to the Holy Land called at Silves and Lisbon due to bad weather. King Sancho of Portugal was at Lisbon at the time and he managed to obtain the support of 500 crusaders to relieve Santarém, hence he turned down the Caliphs peace proposals, which involved relinquishing Silves. The king then departed to Santarém and settled in the city with his troops. Santarém was besiged but, having met heavier resistance than anticipated, the Caliph ordered the sieges on Santarém and Tomar to be lifted, and withdrew south.[ Ill by that point, he lifted the siege of Silves also and left for Seville to spend the winter with his army.
Serious riots between the crusaders and the Jewish and Muslim population of Lisbon then took place, which resulted in the imprisonment of about 700 crusaders. On July 24, the crusader fleet left Lisbon.][
]
1191 campaign
A new, larger and better prepared campaign against Portugal was launched by the Almohad Caliph in April 1191.[ Alcácer do Sal was sieged and captured after its defenders surrendered in exchange for their lives. A Muslim garrison was then installed in the city, which was left under the command of Mohammed Ibn Sidray Ibn Wazir. Certain taxes from Ceuta and Seville were set aside to cover the upkeep of this castle.
After Alcácer do Sal, ]Palmela
Palmela () is a town and a municipality in Portugal. The population in 2011 was 62,831, in an area of 465.12 km².
The municipality is located in the Lisboa Region and Setúbal District, about south of Lisbon. The municipal holiday is 1 Ju ...
, Coina e Almada
Almada () is a city and a municipality in Portugal, located on the southern margin of the Tagus River, on the opposite side of the river from Lisbon. The two cities are connected by the 25 de Abril Bridge. The population in 2011 was 174,030, in a ...
were then taken. The Castle of Leiria was razed and the district of Coimbra was invaded.
In the Algarve, the castle of Alvor was taken by the Almohads. A new siege was set upon Silves and this time the Caliph possessed fourt times more siege weapons than the defenders. The walled city was breached and the defenders withdrew to the high citadel. Following the authorization of the king, the Portuguese surrendered on July 25, being allowed to leave with their lives only.
A truce was signed between the Almohads and Portugal and the Caliph withdrew to Morocco. All Portuguese conquest south of the Tagus were thus lost, with the exception of the city of Évora, which resisted as an isolated enclave in Christian hands, surrounded by Muslim territory.
Consolidation 1191-1217
In order to secure the territory still in Portuguese control against future Muslim incursions, king Sancho followed a policy of consolidation and fortification of the frontier now set at the Tagus once more, largely supported by the military Orders, mainly the Templars, but also the knights of Santiago, Calatrava and the Hospitallers, which not only defended the territory but developed agriculture as well.[Selvagem, 1931, p. 67.] The string of castles and fortifications along the northern bank of the Tagus became known as the "Tagus Line" (''Linha do Tejo'' in Portuguese).
The "Tagus Line" included the Templar castles of Almourol
Almourol is an islet in the Tagus river, in the civil parish of Praia do Ribatejo, Center Region, Portugal. The small island lies in the middle of the Tagus, a few meters below its confluence with the Zêzere River.
The castle of Almourol, a ...
, Castelo Branco, Pombal, Tomar
Tomar (), also known in English as Thomar (the ancient name of Tomar), is a city and a municipality in the Santarém district of Portugal. The town proper has a population of about 20,000. The municipality population in 2011 was 40,677, in an a ...
, Zêzere, Idanha-a-Nova
Idanha-a-Nova () is a town and surrounding municipality in the district of Castelo Branco, in east-central Portugal. A border municipality with Spain, the population of the municipality in 2011 was 9,716, in an area of 1416.34 km2, making it ...
, the Santiago castles of Monsanto
The Monsanto Company () was an American agrochemical and agricultural biotechnology corporation founded in 1901 and headquartered in Creve Coeur, Missouri. Monsanto's best known product is Roundup, a glyphosate-based herbicide, developed in th ...
, Abrantes
Abrantes () is a concelho, municipality in the Centro Region, Portugal, central Médio Tejo Subregion, Médio Tejo subregion of Portugal. The population was 39,325, in an area of . The municipality includes several parishes divided by the Tagus ...
, Santarém, the Hospitaller castle of Belver and the castle of Torres Novas
The Castle of Torres Novas ( pt, Castelo de Torres Novas) is a medieval castle in the civil parish of Torres Novas (São Pedro), Lapas e Ribeira Branca, municipality of Torres Novas, Portuguese district of Santarém.
It is classified as a Nat ...
.
The Templars were given lands in Santarém and Idanha.[The knights of Santiago were given the castle of Santarém.] In 1193, the castle and territory of Mafra
Mafra is a Czech media group that publishes printed and internet media, headquartered in Prague, Czech Republic. It is a subsidiary of Agrofert holding conglomerate owned by trust of Andrej Babiš, the former Prime Minister of the Czech Republic. ...
was granted to the Order of Calatrava
The Order of Calatrava ( es, Orden de Calatrava, pt, Ordem de Calatrava) was one of the four Spanish military orders and the first military order founded in Castile, but the second to receive papal approval. The papal bull confirming the Orde ...
. In 1194 the king donated the lands of Guidintesta to the Hospitallers, who had been in Portugal for a few decades already, and in exchange the Order erected on it the Castle of Belver
The Castle of Belver ( pt, Castelo de Belver) is a Portuguese castle in the civil parish of Belver, municipality of Gavião, district of Portalegre, in central Portugal.
History
Belver was the first castle and most important to be construct ...
, its first castle in Portugal.
The Battle of Alarcos, 1195
At this time, king Alfonso VIII of Castile
Alfonso VIII (11 November 11555 October 1214), called the Noble (''El Noble'') or the one of Las Navas (''el de las Navas''), was King of Castile from 1158 to his death and King of Toledo. After having suffered a great defeat with his own army at ...
invaded the Andalus and advanced far as Algeciras
Algeciras ( , ) is a municipality of Spain belonging to the province of Cádiz, Andalusia. Located in the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula, near the Strait of Gibraltar, it is the largest city on the Bay of Gibraltar ( es, Bahía de Algeci ...
. To face the Castilian threat, the Almohad caliph ordered the preaching of holy war and once again crossed the Strait of Gibraltar at the head of a large army. Afonso VIII appealed to neighboring kings for a great Iberian coalition, but the monarchs of León, Navarre
Navarre (; es, Navarra ; eu, Nafarroa ), officially the Chartered Community of Navarre ( es, Comunidad Foral de Navarra, links=no ; eu, Nafarroako Foru Komunitatea, links=no ), is a foral autonomous community and province in northern Spain, ...
and Aragon
Aragon ( , ; Spanish and an, Aragón ; ca, Aragó ) is an autonomous community in Spain, coextensive with the medieval Kingdom of Aragon. In northeastern Spain, the Aragonese autonomous community comprises three provinces (from north to sou ...
abstained. Only king Sancho sent a body of troops to aid Castile, led by the former alcaide of Silves Rodrigo Sanches and master of Calatrava in Portugal Gonçalo Viegas de Lanhoso.
The Luso-Castilian army was severely routed at the Battle of Alarcos
Battle of Alarcos (July 18, 1195), was a battle between the Almohads led by Abu Yusuf Ya'qub al-Mansur and King Alfonso VIII of Castile.''Medieval Iberia: an encyclopedia'', 42. It resulted in the defeat of the Castilian forces and their subs ...
and king Alfonso VIII was nearly captured, while Gonçalo Viegas perished in battle. The king of Castile then signed a truce with the Almohads and the Muslims withdrew to Seville carrying valuable spoils.
In Portugal, the city of Guarda was founded in 1199, in a location that was both difficult to reach and allowed as many as twenty leagues of the sorrounding territory to be watched. That same year, king Sancho donated to the Templars the lands of Açafa where the city of Castelo Branco would be established. In 1200 the Order of Calatrava established Benavente. Hunger swept across all of western Europe in 1202, Portugal included and all military efforts were momentarily halted in order to focus on agriculture and relief efforts. Idanha-a-Nova
Idanha-a-Nova () is a town and surrounding municipality in the district of Castelo Branco, in east-central Portugal. A border municipality with Spain, the population of the municipality in 2011 was 9,716, in an area of 1416.34 km2, making it ...
was founded in 1205 or 1206 and delivered to the Templars. The king granted Avis
Avis is Latin for bird and may refer to:
Aviation
*Auster Avis, a 1940s four-seat light aircraft developed from the Auster Autocrat (abandoned project)
*Avro Avis, a two-seat biplane
*Scottish Aeroplane Syndicate Avis, an early aircraft built by ...
to the Order of Calatrava in 1211 in exchange for the Order erecting a castle on this location, which would be done before 1214. Avis became the headquarters of Calatrava in Portugal and later the headquarters of the Order of Avis
The Military Order of Saint Benedict of Aviz ( pt, Ordem Militar de São Bento de Avis, ), previously to 1910 ''Royal Military Order of Saint Benedict of Aviz'' ( pt, Real Ordem Militar de São Bento de Avis), previously to 1789 ''Knights'' (of ...
.
The Battle of Navas de Tolosa 1212
On March 26, 1211, king Sancho I passed king Afonso II
Alphons (Latinized ''Alphonsus'', ''Adelphonsus'', or ''Adefonsus'') is a male given name recorded from the 8th century (Alfonso I of Asturias, r. 739–757) in the Christian successor states of the Visigothic kingdom in the Iberian peninsula. ...
succeeded him on the throne. That same year, civil-war broke out in Portugal between the king and his sisters Dona Mafalda, Dona Teresa and Dona Sancha. The king of León got involved in this conflict, taking the side of the infantas. Meanwhile, King Alfonso VIII of Castile launched a new war against the Almohads, after the truce signed with them had expired and Caliph Muhammad Nasser once again gathered a large army and crossed into Iberia. This time, however, the king of Castile was supported by the hosts of the kings of Navarre and Aragon, as well as the various religious orders and volunteers throughout Europe.
Afonso II was unable to personally assist the allied kings, but despite being involved in war with his sisters and León, the Portuguese king still dispatched a body of troops to fight the Almohads. The Portuguese host was composed mainly of town militias but also included Templar squadrons as well as other volunteers who joined the expedition, led by the preceptor of the Templars in Portugal, Gomes Ramires.
The Portuguese distinguished themselves in the battle of Navas de Tolosa, with the Castilian Rodrigo de Toledo commenting that "a certain number of warriors from the parts of Portugal, a multitude of footmen of marvelous agility, easily withstood the rigors of the campaign and attacked with audacity", while Lucas of Tuy also wrote that "they rushed into combat as if for a feast."
The definitive conquest of Alentejo 1217-1238
Alcácer do Sal was the main Muslim naval base on the western coast of the peninsula and the main threat to Lisbon ever since the Almohad reconquest in 1191.[Miguel Gomes Martins: ''De Ourique a Aljubarrota - A Guerra Na Idade Média'', A Esfera dos Livros, 2011, pp. 127-145.] The initiative to conquer this city came from the Bishop of Lisbon D. Soeiro Viegas, who called for a crusade throughout the kingdom, invested his own financial resources in it and obtained the collaboration of both the bishop of Évora
A bishop is an ordained clergy member who is entrusted with a position of authority and oversight in a religious institution.
In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance of dioceses. The role or office of bishop is ca ...
, the abbot of Alcobaça, the military Orders and Flemish, Saxon, and Frisian crusaders whose fleet had arrived at Lisbon, on the way to Palestine. The bulk of the army was made up of infantry from the town militias, but would also included around 300 knights, as well as Templar squadrons, led by Master Dom Pedro Alvites, knights of Santiago led by Martim Pais Barregão and hospitallers led by Prior Dom Gonçalves de Cerveira.
The Christian host and fleet departed from Lisbon to Alcácer do Sal in the last days of June 1217. Alcácer do Sal was surrounded and attacked using mines, battering rams
A battering ram is a siege engine that originated in ancient times and was designed to break open the masonry walls of fortifications or splinter their wooden gates. In its simplest form, a battering ram is just a large, heavy log carried by ...
, trebuchets
A trebuchet (french: trébuchet) is a type of catapult that uses a long arm to throw a projectile. It was a common powerful siege engine until the advent of gunpowder. The design of a trebuchet allows it to launch projectiles of greater weight ...
, and siege towers
A Roman siege tower or breaching tower (or in the Middle Ages, a belfry''Castle: Stephen Biesty's Cross-Sections''. Dorling Kindersley Pub (T); 1st American edition (September 1994). Siege towers were invented in 300 BC. ) is a specialized siege ...
.[Miguel Gomes Martins: ''De Ourique a Aljubarrota - A Guerra Na Idade Média'', A Esfera dos Livros, 2011, pp. 127-145.] As the Christian forces approached, the qaid
Qaid ( ar , قائد ', "commander"; pl. '), also spelled kaid or caïd, is a word meaning "commander" or "leader." It was a title in the Norman kingdom of Sicily, applied to palatine officials and members of the ''curia'', usually to those w ...
of Alcácer do Sail, Abdallah Ibn Wazir, requested military aid from the Muslim garrisons in the region and on the morning of September 11th the Portuguese defeated an Almohad relief army from Jaen, Córdoba, Seville and Badajoz, at the Battle of Ribeira de Sítimos, while the crusaders remained behind to blockade Alcácer and guard their ships. Already very weakened by that point, the defenders of Alcácer do Sal surrendered in mid-October and were allowed to leave with their lives. [Miguel Gomes Martins: ''De Ourique a Aljubarrota - A Guerra Na Idade Média'', A Esfera dos Livros, 2011, pp. 127-145.]
In 1219, the knights of Santiago took Santiago do Cacém
Santiago do Cacém ( or ) is a municipality in Setúbal District in Portugal. The population in 2011 was 29,749, in an area of 1059.69 km2.
The present mayor is Álvaro Beijinha, elected by the Unitary Democratic Coalition. The municipal holi ...
.[Miguel Gomes Martins: ''De Ourique a Aljubarrota - A Guerra Na Idade Média'', A Esfera dos Livros, 2011, pp. 127-145.] In the same year, king Afonso II signed a truce with the Muslims.
In the spring of 1226, king Sancho II sieged Elvas
Elvas () is a Portuguese municipality, former episcopal city and frontier fortress of easternmost central Portugal, located in the district of Portalegre in Alentejo. It is situated about east of Lisbon, and about west of the Spanish fortress ...
at the same time as the Leonese attacked Badajoz. The archbishop of Braga
The Archdiocese of Braga ( la, Archidioecesis Bracarensis) is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory or archdiocese of the Catholic Church in Portugal. It is known for its use of the Rite of Braga, a use of the liturgy distinct from the Roman R ...
and the royal ensign Martim Anes commanded the royal host. The surrounding fields were pillaged and the city was captured, with the king risking his life in the action. When the Portuguese saw that the Leonese failed to conquer the powerful city of Badajoz and Autumn was approaching however, Elvas was razed and abandoned.
In the second campaign that king Sancho II undertook in Alentejo, he took Elvas and Juromenha
Juromenha is a town in southeastern Portugal, near the border with Spain. It is part of Alandroal Municipality.
See also
*Castelo de Juromenha
Castelo de Juromenha is a castle in Portugal located in Juromenha. It is classified by IGESPAR as a ...
, in 1229 or 1230. In 1232, the Hospitallers captured the villages of Moura, which surrendered after a brief attack, and then Serpa
Serpa () is a city and a Concelho (municipality) in the central Portuguese region Alentejo. The population in 2011 was 15,623, in an area of . The Guadiana River flows close to the town of Serpa.
History
Serpa has its origins in early settlem ...
. That same year, the Hospitallers founded Crato and Castelo de Vide
Castelo de Vide () is a municipality in Portugal, with a population of 3,407 inhabitants in 2011, in an area of .
History
It is unclear when humans settled Castelo de Vide, although archaeologists suggest the decision came from the morphology of ...
, whose territory the king had donated to the Order. It is possible that Beja was captured this year.
In 1234, the knights of Santiago captured Aljustrel
Aljustrel () is a town and a municipality in the Portuguese district of Beja. The population in 2011 was 9,257, in an area of 458.47 km2. The present mayor is Nelson Domingos Brito, elected by the Socialist Party. The municipal holiday is Jun ...
. The conquest of inner Alentejo followed with the capture of Arronches
Arronches () is a municipality in Portugal. The population in 2011 was 3,165, in an area of 314.65 km2.
The municipality is located by the Serra de São Mamede in Portalegre District.
The present Mayor is Fermelinda Carvalho (PSD) and the Pr ...
, Mértola
Mértola () is a municipality in southeastern Portuguese Alentejo near the Spanish border. In 2011, the population was 7,274, in an area of approximately : it is the sixth-largest municipality in Portugal. Meanwhile, it is the second-lowest populat ...
and Alfajar da Pena being taken in 1238. This same year, Portuguese forces would proceed south along the Guadiana into the modern-day district of Algarve and attack both Alcoutim
Alcoutim () is a town and a municipality in southeastern Portugal near the Portugal–Spain border. The population in 2011 was 2,917, in an area of 575.36 km². It is the least densely populated municipality in Portugal. The municipality is ...
as well as Ayamonte
Ayamonte (; pt, Aiamonte) is a town and municipality of Spain belonging to the province of Huelva, Andalusia. It is located near the border with Portugal on the mouth of the Guadiana River. According to the 2015 census, the city had a population ...
.
The definitive conquest of Algarve 1238-1249
Alcoutim
Alcoutim () is a town and a municipality in southeastern Portugal near the Portugal–Spain border. The population in 2011 was 2,917, in an area of 575.36 km². It is the least densely populated municipality in Portugal. The municipality is ...
in the modern-day district of Algarve was captured in 1238, as was Ayamonte
Ayamonte (; pt, Aiamonte) is a town and municipality of Spain belonging to the province of Huelva, Andalusia. It is located near the border with Portugal on the mouth of the Guadiana River. According to the 2015 census, the city had a population ...
, east of the Guadiana river
The Guadiana River (, also , , ), or Odiana, is an international river defining a long stretch of the Portugal-Spain border, separating Extremadura and Andalusia (Spain) from Alentejo and Algarve (Portugal). The river's basin extends from the e ...
, by king D. Sancho II with a fleet.
The mountainranges of Algarve constituted a serious obstacle to the march of the Portuguese hosts to the south and southwest.[António Castro Henriques: Conquista do Algarve - 1189-1249 - O Segundo Reino, Tribuna da História, 2003, pp. 57-83.
] The commander of the knights of Santiago in Portugal Paio Peres Correia
D. Paio Peres Correia was a Portuguese warrior who played an important role in the thirteenth-century Reconquista. He was born c. 1205, in Monte de Fralães, a civil parish in the municipality of Barcelos.
He went to Uclés, then the seat of t ...
managed to cross them in 1238 still with the support of Garcia Rodrigues, a knight who knew their pathways well due to his previous occupation as a merchant, which allowed the knights of Santiago to bypass the main Muslim castles that they guarded the mountain paths, marching by night and camping by day, hidden in the valleys.
The first castles to be taken were those of Alvor and Estômbar
Estômbar is a town in the civil parish of Estômbar e Parchal, in the municipality (''concelho'') of Lagoa, Portugal. The population in 2011 was 4,985, in an area of 24.21 km². It is situated just west of the city of Lagoa itself. Its civi ...
, in the region of Silves Silves may refer to :
Europe
* Silves, Portugal, municipality and former bishopric in Algarve, southern Portugal
** Silves (parish), a civil parish in the municipality of Silves
** Castle of Silves, a medieval castle in civil parish of Silves
...
. From there, raids was launched into the rich fields around this important city. By agreement with the emir of the Algarve Musa ibn Mahommed ibn Nasser ibn Mahfuz ("Aben Mafom" in Portuguese) Paio Peres Correia exchanged them for the castle of Cacela Velha
Cacela Velha (meaning "Old Cacela" in Portuguese) is a village located in the civil parish of Vila Nova de Cacela, municipality of Vila Real de Santo António, Algarve, Portugal. Cacela Velha is situated on top of a hill with a view to the eastern ...
, much further east, close to Ayamonte
After a failed surprise attack on the castle of Paderne
The Castle of Paderne ( pt, Castelo de Paderne) is an ancient fortification located in the civil parish of Paderne, municipality of Albufeira, in the Portuguese Algarve. It was constructed in the later 12th century by Berbers, in an area around ...
, the important town of Tavira
Tavira () is a Portuguese town and municipality, capital of the ''Costa do Acantilado'', situated in the east of the Algarve on the south coast of Portugal. It is east of Faro and west of Huelva across the river Guadiana into Spain. The Gilão ...
was taken by the knights of Santiago. Located on one of the few roads that crossed the Algarve lengthwise and gave access to the Alentejo, the castle of Salir was then taken. Silves was taken by deception: a small detachment of knights was sent to attack the castle of Estômbar and false information was spread that Paio Peres Correia lead at head of this force. Once the emir had left with his troops in direction of Estômbar the walls were scaled and the city taken. Paderne Paderne may refer to:
;In Portugal
:*Paderne, Albufeira, a parish in the municipality of Albufeira
:*Paderne (Melgaço), a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Melgaço
:*Castle of Paderne, a 12th-century fortification located in the c ...
was captured shortly afterwards, with its entire garrison being slaughtered. The minor mountain castles of Monchique
Monchique () is a municipality of southern Portugal, in Faro District (province of Algarve). The population in 2011 was 6,045, in an area of 395.30 km2.
The Municipality of Monchique is situated in the Serra de Monchique and together with th ...
, Montagudo, Marachique, Ourique
Ourique () is a city in the District of Beja in Portugal. The population in 2011 was 5,389, in an area of 663.31 km2.
This town is traditionally considered the site of the famous Battle of Ourique in 1139, which saw the forces of Portuguese ...
and Messines are likely to have subsequently surrendered after Silves was taken.
By1249, only the settlements of Aljezur
Aljezur () is a town and municipality of the District of Faro and Algarve region, in Portugal. The population in 2011 was 5,884, in an area of 323.50 km². The municipality comprises 4 parishes.
History
Aljezur Do árabe al jazair, plu ...
, Faro, Loulé
Loulé () is a city and municipality in the region of Algarve, district of Faro, Portugal. In 2011, the population of the entire municipality was 70,622 inhabitants, in an area of approximately . The municipality has two principal cities: Loulé ...
and Albufeira
Albufeira () is a city and seat of its own municipality in the district of Faro, in the southernmost Portuguese region of Algarve. The municipality population in 2021 was 44,158, in an area of . The city proper had a population of 28,645 in 2021 ...
still remained in Muslim hands. Their lords had submitted to the authority of the Merínids of Morocco and were difficult to take without the support of a fleet.
Once king Afonso III
Afonso III (; rare English alternatives: ''Alphonzo'' or ''Alphonse''), or ''Affonso'' (Archaic Portuguese), ''Alfonso'' or ''Alphonso'' (Portuguese-Galician) or ''Alphonsus'' (Latin), the Boulonnais ( Port. ''o Bolonhês''), King of Portugal ( ...
had emerged victorious from the civil war that pitted him against his brother, he crossed the mountains of Algarve in the first weeks of March through Almodôvar
Almodôvar ( or ; ar, المدوّر, al-Mudawwar, the Round one) is a town and a municipality in the District of Beja, Portugal. The population in 2011 was 7,449, in an area of 777.88 km2.
The present Mayor is António Bota, a member of th ...
, at the head of his royal host. He was accompanied by his main supporters during the civil war, first among them Dom João de Aboim, but also the heads of the military Orders, such as the master of the Order of Calatrava in Portugal, Dom Lourenço Afonso, and grandmaster Paio Peres Correia at the head of the knights of Santiago, accompanied by Gonçalo Peres Magro, commander of Mértola.
The important port city of Faro was sieged first. Expecting reinforcements from North Africa, the qaid of Faro ''Alboambre'' mounted some resistance but once the Portuguese fleet sailed up the river and blocked the port, the city surrendered, thus avoiding pointless bloodshed and ensuring its inhabitants a favorable status under Portuguese authority.
Once Faro was captured, Loulé
Loulé () is a city and municipality in the region of Algarve, district of Faro, Portugal. In 2011, the population of the entire municipality was 70,622 inhabitants, in an area of approximately . The municipality has two principal cities: Loulé ...
surrendered after little resistance. Porches and Albufeira surrendered to the Dom Lourenço Afonso. Aljezur, the last town in the Algarve still in Muslim hands, was finally taken on one morning by grandmaster Paio Peres Correia.
Aftermath
Upon completing the conquest of Algarve, king Afonso III adopted the title "King of Portugal and Algarve", created by king Sancho when he first conquered Silves, 60 years earlier.
As Ibn Mahfuz had declared himself a vassal of Castile, king Ferdinand III considered the Algarve to belong to him.[H. V. Livermore: ]
A New History of Portugal
', Cambridge University Press, 1966, p. 80. This caused a diplomatical crisis and even war between Afonso and Ferdinand, who invaded the Algarve. Only when the Traty of Badajoz was signed in 1267 did Ferdinand acknowledge the rights of Afonso over the territory and the border was established at the Guadiana River
The Guadiana River (, also , , ), or Odiana, is an international river defining a long stretch of the Portugal-Spain border, separating Extremadura and Andalusia (Spain) from Alentejo and Algarve (Portugal). The river's basin extends from the e ...
.
Official Portuguese participation in the Reconquista came to an end and so did the opportunity to gain territory and spoils, hence many knights and warriors crossed the border to find service under the kings of Leon and Castile as adventurers or mercenaries.
Despite the conquest by Christian forces, many Muslims, as well as Jews, were tolerated and continued to reside in Portuguese territory, in Muslim or Jewish quarters respectively, paying increased taxes in exchange for the privilege, under conditions similar to those that had applied to Christians in Muslim Andalus. It was only in the 16th century that they would be forced to convert or be expelled. Among other things, Mudejar art remained as a testimony of Muslim presence in Portuguese territory. A large number of words of Arabic origin came into current use in Portuguese as well.
Memory of the reconquista and the violent or peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims persisted for centuries in popular Portuguese imagination and folk tales involving enchanted mouras, analoguous to the tales of Christian princesses that circulated among Muslims.
See also
* Portugal in the Middle Ages
The kingdom of Portugal was established from the county of Portugal in the 1130s, ruled by the Portuguese House of Burgundy. During most of the 12th and 13th centuries, its history is chiefly that of the gradual reconquest of territory from the ...
* Military history of Portugal
The military history of Portugal is as long as the history of the country, from before the emergence of the independent Portuguese state.
Before Portugal
Before the emergence of Portugal, between the 9th and the 12th centuries, its territory w ...
* Castles in Portugal
Castles in Portugal were crucial components of the military throughout its history. The Portuguese learned the art of building fortifications from the Romans and the Moors. The Romans, who ruled and colonized the territory of current-day Portugal ...
* Knight-villein
* Chivalry
Chivalry, or the chivalric code, is an informal and varying code of conduct developed in Europe between 1170 and 1220. It was associated with the medieval Christianity, Christian institution of knighthood; knights' and gentlemen's behaviours we ...
* Enchanted Moura
The Enchanted moura or (enchanted female Mouros) is a supernatural being from the fairy tales of Portuguese and Galician folklore. Very beautiful and seductive, she lives under an imposed occult spell. Shapeshifters, the occupy liminal spaces ...
* Albarrana tower
An albarrana tower ( ar, البراني, al-barrānī, lit=exterior) is a defensive tower detached from the curtain wall and connected to it by a bridge or an arcade. They were built by Muslims when they occupied the Iberian Peninsula between the ...
* Crusades
The Crusades were a series of religious wars initiated, supported, and sometimes directed by the Latin Church in the medieval period. The best known of these Crusades are those to the Holy Land in the period between 1095 and 1291 that were in ...
* Portuguese Navy
The Portuguese Navy ( pt, Marinha Portuguesa, also known as ''Marinha de Guerra Portuguesa'' or as ''Armada Portuguesa'') is the naval branch of the Portuguese Armed Forces which, in cooperation and integrated with the other branches of the Port ...
* ''De expugnatione Scalabis
''De expugnatione Scalabis'' is an anonymous Latin account of the Portuguese conquest of Santarém on 15 March 1147. It is the earliest and most detailed source for that event and is informed by eyewitness accounts.
The title ''De expugnatione S ...
''
* ''De expugnatione Lyxbonensi
''De expugnatione Lyxbonensi'' ('On the Conquest of Lisbon') is an eyewitness account of the Siege of Lisbon at the start of the Second Crusade, and covers the expedition from the departure of the English contingent on 23 May 1147 until the fall ...
''
* ''Chronicon Lusitanum
The ''Chronicon Lusitanum'' or ''Lusitano'' (also ''Chronica Lusitana'' or ''Chronica/Chronicon Gothorum'') is a chronicle of the history of Portugal from the earliest migrations of the Visigoths (which it dates to 311) through the reign of Portu ...
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* ''Manifestis Probatum
''Manifestis Probatum'' is a papal bull dated 23 May 1179, in which Pope Alexander III officially recognised the ruler and self-proclaimed king Afonso Henriques as the first sovereign King of Portugal.
The Papacy did not at first recognize the l ...
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* Timeline of Portuguese history (First Dynasty)
* Lower March
The Lower March ( ar, الثغر الأدنى, ''al-Ṯaḡr al-ʾAdnā''; ) was a march of al-Andalus. It included territory that is now in Portugal.
As a borderland territory, it was home to the so-called ''muwalladun'' or indigenous converts a ...
* Knights Templar in Portugal
References
{{reflist
Bibliography
*Henriques, António Castro (2003). ''Conquista do Algarve - 1189-1249 - O Segundo Reino'' Tribuna da História.
*Herculano, Alexandre, (1846).
História de Portugal
', volume I, Bertrand.
*Heculano, Alexandre, (2014).
História de Portugal
', volume II, Edições Vercial.
*Jensen, Kurt Villads, (2016). ''Crusading on the Edges of Europe: Denmark and Portugal c.1000 – c.1250'', Taylor & Francis.
*Livermore, H. V., (1947).
A History Of Portugal
', Cambridge University Press.
*Livermore, H. V., (1966).
A New History of Portugal
' Cambridge University Press.
*Martins, iguel Gomes, (2011). ''De Ourique a Aljubarrota - A Guerra Na Idade Média'', A Esfera dos Livros.
*McMurdo, Edward, (1888).
The History of Portugal: From the Commencement of the Monarchy to the Reign of Alfonso III
', S. Low, Marston, Searle, & Rivington.
*Selvagem, Carlos (1931). ''Portugal militar: Compêndio de história militar e naval de Portugal : desde as origens do estado portucalense até o fim da Dinastia de Bragança'', Imprensa Nacional de Lisboa.
*Lay, Stephen (2009). ''The Reconquest Kings of Portugal: Political and Cultural Reorientation on the Medieval Frontier''. Palgrave Macmillan.
Medieval Portugal
9th century in Portugal
10th century in Portugal
11th century in Portugal
12th century in Portugal
13th century in Portugal
History of Portugal
Reconquista
Military history of Portugal
Gharb Al-Andalus