Luso–Leonese War (1162–1165)

The Luso-Leonese War took place from 1162 to 1165. It was a conflict between Portugal and the Kingdom of León. It was due to disputes between Afonso Henriques and King Ferdinand II of León, who interfered in Portuguese foreign policy.

Background

After the death of Emperor Alfonso VII of León in 1157, his domains were divided between his sons Sancho III, who remained with Castile, and Ferdinand II, who was left with León. Through the Treaty of Sahagún, the two brothers agreed to divide Portugal among themselves if the opportunity arose, but when Sancho III died shortly afterwards, Afonso I declared war on León in 1158.

During hostilities, the Portuguese king signed an alliance with Aragon. His daughter, Mafalda, would marry the heir of Aragon Alfonso, son of Queen Petronilla of Aragon and Count Ramon Berenguer IV, who had proposed the pact. Peace was sealed with Leon at the end of 1160.

The foundation of Ciudad Rodrigo by Ferdinand II, in 1160, caused disturbances in the region and, in neighboring Salamanca, a revolt of its knights broke out. They were joined by the Castilian knights from Ávila and the Leonese knights from Zamora but were, however, all destroyed in the Battle of Valmuza, near Salvatierra de Tormes.

In the summer of 1162, the Count of Barcelona died. Ferdinand II then managed to get Queen Petronila to annul the marriage agreement between his son and Afonso Henriques' daughter.

War

Afonso Henriques took possession of the Limia region (in Galicia) in 1162. In December of this year, the king provided weapons to all the residents, knights and peons of Mós, a village near the border with Leon to which he granted a charter, so that they could defend his castle.

In Castile, internal struggles continued between the ''Laras'' and ''Castros'' for dominance over their young king, disputes in which the king of León was involved. Unsatisfied with their defeat, in January 1163 the knights of Salamanca reignited the revolt and asked Afonso I for help. Having received the request for help, Afonso I advanced to Salamanca in the same month and took possession of it.

The following summer, the Leonese king defeated the Portuguese in the Battle of Campos de Arganara and forced them to withdraw from Salamanca. Returning to Portugal, Afonso I granted charters to Trancoso, , Aguiar da Beira, Celorico da Beira and conquered the Castle of Cedofeita, near Pontevedra. From Cedofeita, he raided Pontevedra, Ribadavia and Ourense.

King Ferdinand II met again with Afonso I in Pontevedra and in May 1165 they signed peace.

Aftermath

In exchange for peace, Ferdinand II committed to marrying Urraca of Portugal, daughter of Afonso I, despite the canonical impediment that made the marriage prohibited by the Catholic Church, as they had the same great-grandfather. From this marriage the future king Afonso IX of León was born.

The border territories of Limia and Turonio were annexed to Portugal but would not remain in the possession of Afonso Henriques for long. Like the previous peace, this one would not last long and hostilities between Portugal and León would be renewed just two years later.

References

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{{Authority control

Wars involving Portugal
Wars involving the Kingdom of Leon
Military history of Galicia (Spain)
Conflicts in 1163
Conflicts in 1164
Conflicts in 1165
Medieval history of Spain
Medieval history of Portugal
Wars of the Middle Ages
12th-century conflicts
Reconquista