III. The Postclassical Period, 500–1500 > F. Europe, 461–1500 > 3. Western Europe and the Age of the Cathedrals, 1000–1300 > g. The Iberian Peninsula > 6. Portugal
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  The Encyclopedia of World History.  2001.
 
 
6. Portugal
 
PORTUGAL: THE BURGUNDIAN HOUSE (1112-1325)
 
1055–
 
Reconquest from the Muslims of much of present Portugal by Ferdinand the Great of Leon and Castile. Ferdinand organized the territory as a county, with Coimbra as the capital.  1
 
1093–1112
 
Henry of Burgundy, a descendant of King Robert of France, came to Spain with other knight-adventurers to fight against the Moors. In return, the king of Castile granted him the county of Portugal and gave him the hand of his (illegitimate) daughter, Teresa. Henry himself was a typical crusader, restless and enterprising, whose main hope appears to have been to establish a dynasty in Castile.  2
 
1112–85
 
AFONSO HENRIQUES, the founder of the Portuguese monarchy and of the Burgundian dynasty. Afonso was only three years old at the death of his father. His mother, Teresa, ruled as regent, but soon became involved in a struggle with Galicia and Castile. Being defeated, she agreed to accept Castilian domination.  3
 
1128
 
Afonso assumed authority and repudiated the agreement.  4
 
1139
 
Afonso, one of the most famous knights of his age, began a long series of struggles against the Moors by defeating them in the battle of Ourique.  5
 
1143
 
Afonso was proclaimed king by the cortes. The pope arranged the Treaty of Zamora between Portugal and Castile, the latter recognizing Portuguese independence, while Portugal accepted the suzerainty of the pope.  6
 
1147
 
The Portuguese took Lisbon and established a frontier on the Tagus.  7
 
1169
 
Further conflicts with Castile led to Afonso's attack on Badajoz. He was defeated and captured, but was soon released.  8
 
1185–1211
 
SANCHO I, the son of Afonso Henriques. His reign was noteworthy for the development of towns and for the establishment of military orders of knighthood. Sancho did much to settle colonists on the lands that were won back in the prolonged wars against the Moors.  9
 
1211–23
 
AFONSO II. Beginning of the king's conflict with the clergy, which led to interference by the pope and to restlessness among the nobility.  10
 
1223–1245
 
SANCHO II. His trouble with the clergy and nobility led ultimately to his deposition by the pope.  11
 
 
 
The Encyclopedia of World History, Sixth edition. Peter N. Stearns, general editor. Copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Maps by Mary Reilly, copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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