PORTUGUESE IBERIA
The new case study of Iberia in the 12th - 13th centuries
Chapter I - Portucale in the Reconquista
Portucale was but a fledgling fief in 1087, and surrounded by two overbearing powers - Castile-Leon and the Almoravid Khaliphate.
King Alfonso III was the ruler who would bring about a very sudden and magnificent change in the fortune of his Kingdom.
King Alfonso VI of Castile was bent only upon the destruction of the Arabs, and was the most enthusiastic participant of the Reconquista, but not the most successful.
The Aragonese King, who had a very odd name which ended something like, '!!!*numerals--#', was to be also a great ruler in the century to come.
Khaliph Yusuf of Cordoba was the antagonist of all Christendom at this time, and would suffer terribly.
These were the major rulers of Iberia at this time, and the following passage, translated by G. W. Roetkelchen, tells of Portucale and her war first against the Almoravids, and then against her own brethren.
History of Portguese Kings (Fragments)
("The Endless Shift for Leon" - Von Eisberg.)
King Alfonso, son of Alfonso III, son of Sancho & Maria, he was the ruler who turned Portucale against her own brother catholics.
But this was not to the disadvantage of the state, for the King brought many riches & benefits of war home to the province without ever bringing the disasters of it & for this he was loved eternally, as was his father, Alfonso III, who, having pledged alliance to the King of Aragon, assisted the kingdoms of Christ our Saviour in their effort to destroy the heathen.
The heathen was vanquished of his state in one battle, & in many others were the corrupted foemen conquered in their petty southern states, for Alfonso III, King of the westmen, led all who could aptly fight first to the Guadiana, next to the Cadiz, & when in all Ibericum no Moorman could be found, led the King his army into Africa & returning, cut apart the garrison of Granada.
This much he did before his death at twoandfifty years & his son risked everything thereafter for but a little more. Alfonso IV King of Portucale & Keeper of the Moroccan Fort of Christ, after learning of the Castilian advance into France -
So much is clear enough in the old passage to be translated, and it is adequately obvious of how beloved King Alfonso III was in his Reconquista, which won for Portucale the greater part of Iberia, and gave Christendom a fist in Africa.
But what happened to the Almoravids?
All evidence suggests that they were entirely destroyed, there having been a civil war after the Khaliph Yusuf died in battle at Al-Gharb, and the Caliphate divided into city-states, which were swept up immediately by the Portuguese King.
Indeed, the Moors were very close to extinction, the Almohads having fought and lost against the Fatimids, and the Fatimids having solicited the help of Portucale and Aragon, the latter leading a Crusade into Algeria thereafter.
Aragon succeeded, and became very rich and rather powerful - a threat to King Alfonso IV - who nonetheless hoped the young King Sanc I would support him against Castile.
For Castile under King Alfonso VII had invaded France who was at war with England.
An extract from De Phyuin's History of 12th Century France illustrates the situation in the north at this time;
"... So England had immediately retaliated, declaring war on France and fighting superbly - then France bribed the Celtic Scots, Irish and Welsh that they should war against the English.
The Celts obliged and took Northumbria, whereafter England under William III begged Alfonso VII of Spain to assist him.
Castile obliged and led a greatly successful campaign through all of southern France, and England destroyed her foremost enemy, and then turned on the Celts.
But this ease lasted less than a year, for the Spanish, feeling entirely flushed, declared war on England continental possessions and for the outset the English King was very hard put to it, trying to remove his men-at-arms again to the continent.
England however, began to solicit new friends..."
King William III reminded Alfonso IV of Portucale of their former friendship, and required him to quit the Iberian alliance and attack Castile-Leon.
This was all the pretext which the Portuguese King needed.
He hoped sincerely that Aragon would join the fight, but King Sanc I would have no part.
Regardless, a campaign was led into Leon, then to old Castile, and finally new Castile.
A map will be shown with major dates, but many more smaller battles were fought due to the constant change-over of possession in Leon, Cordoba and Old Castile.
Finally, both the English and Portucale were excommunicated for their aggression and Alfonso IV nearly suffered civil war, but the people were happy with the fruits of their conquest.
By 1121 A.D. Portucale was in danger, though not so clearly as Castile.
Large Aragonese armies stood in Murcia and Algeria, whereas the only Portuguese army left was a pittance still besieging Castile.
King Alfonso IV would need to rely on the pure goodwill of Aragon for survival, for the Kingdom must remain at it's glorious state, for when Pedro, son of Alfonso, son of Alfonso, son of Sancho and Maria would take the crown.
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Here is a priceless relic, an old map from the time of King Alfonso, who happened to have an incredibly accurate astronomer.
I took the liberty of scribbling all over it in order to make my point.
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