“De Condado a Império” the Unabridged History of the Portuguese

[Lusitania]

“De Condado a Império”
the Unabridged History of the Portuguese

2nd Condado de Portucalense I (1095 – 1139)


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In 1095 Henriques of Borgonha is given the Condado de Portucalense by the King Alfonso VI of Kingdom of Castela and Leão. As vassal of Castela and Leão he is tasked with defending the Christian lands from the Infidels to the south and fealty to the crown of Kingdom of Castela and Leão. The Conde Henriques is not satisfied with the arrangement and while he commits whole heartedly to the expulsion of the Moors he aspires for his realm to become independent.

The story of Henriques of Borgonha is one of a knight of high standing but slim prospects in his homeland so decided to seek his fortune elsewhere. In 1086 Henriques of Borgonha the grandson of Robert I, Duke of Borgonha accompanies his cousin Raymond of Borgonha, the son of William I, Count of Borgonha to fight the Moors from the Peninsula Ibérica. They along with thousands of others are there at the invitation of King Alfonso VI of Kingdom of Castela and Leão.

Meanwhile on the Muslim side the Emirs namely Abbad III al-Mu'tamid, request assistance from the Almorávida Dynasty in North Africa in fighting Alfonso VI of Leão and Castela. The Almorávidasleader Yusuf ibn Tashfin answers the call and brings over a large army from North Africa and takes command of the Muslim side. At the Battle of az-Zallaqah Yusuf ibn Tashfin inflicts a heavy defeat against the Christian forces forcing them to retreat and regroup. But due to internal issues in North Africa Yusuf ibn Tashfin does not follow up on his victory but instead returns to North Africa.

In 1090 Yusuf ibn Tashfin returns to Peninsula Ibérica and proceeds to conquer all independent Muslim Taifas thus establishing a strong apposing Muslim force instead of several smaller independent Taifas. Over the next number of years they push the Christian Kingdoms north in several places.

In 1091 Raymond of Borgonha is rewarded for his support and fighting he is given the hand of the only legitimate child of Alfonso VI of Leão and Castela his daughter Urraca, and given the fiefdom of Galiza. He also becomes the heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Leão and Castela.

Two years later in 1093 Henriques of Borgonha is also rewarded. He marries Infanta Teresa, the illegitimate daughter of Afonso VI of Leão and Castela for his contribution in fighting the moors. A condition of the reward is the recognition of his cousin Raymond as the legitimate heir to Alfonso VI of Castile. In 1095 Henriques of Borgonha receives the second part of his reward the Condado de Portucalense. He thus becomes a vassal of the Kingdom of Leão and Castela. He is known from then on as the Conde D. Henrique and while never becoming king is regarded by some historians as D. Henrique I de Portugal the first leader of the Portugal.

Meanwhile in North Africa the Almóada Dynasty founded by Ibn Tumart in 1105. It begins as a religious movement to rid Islam of impurities. Ibn Tumart's successor, Abd al-Mu'min, turned the movement against non-Muslims, specifically Jews and Christians. It eventually sweeps across North Africa and finally into Muslim Iberia. The zealous Almóados initiate riots and persecutions of both Muslims and non-Muslims. In some towns Jews and Christians are given the choice of conversion, exile, or death. When they finally arrive in Iberia in the 12th century displacing the Almorávida Dynasty, thousands of Christian and Jews move north into Christian kingdoms.

In the Kingdom of Castela and Leão the old guard one by one dies leaving the new generation to take up the struggle. In 1107 the Conde Raymond de Borgonha dies leaving the fiefdom of Galiza to his son Alfonso Raimúndez. This is followed in 1109 by the death of Afonso VI of Leão and Castela; his daughter Urraca becomes Queen of Leão and Castela.

Meanwhile in Portucalense D. Afonso Henriques is born in 1109. While the Conde has two surviving daughters his other two previous sons had died in infancy. But joy in the Condado is short lived for in 1112 the Conde D. Henriques dies. He leaves a much more independent Condado then he inherited. His wife D. Teresa becomes regent for the infant Afonso. She ultimately joins up with Conde Fernando Peres de Trava of Galiza who becomes her lover.

In 1820 after a longtime of rivalries D. Teresa Condessa de Portucalense and her lover’s position and well as the direction she is leading the Condado come to a head with the Bishop of Braga. D Afonso Henriques takes the side of the Bishop putting him in direct confrontation with his mother.

In 1821 Alfonso Raimúndez makes the first of two marches into the Condado, this time as a representative of his mother the Queen he has come to enforce the fealty of the Condado. D Teresa is captured but is released on the promise of honoring the fealty towards Kingdom of Castela and Leão. Then in 1126 Queen Urraca dies and her son Alfonso Raimúndez becomes Alfonso VII of Leão and Castela. Following his ascension to the throne and the failure of D Alfonso Henriques to renew his fealty King Alfonso VII of Castela and León invades Portucalense and besieges Guimarães in 1127. The Portuguese Knight Egas Moniz de Ribadouro manages to make King Alfonso VII of Leão and Castela accept promises of Portuguese fielty.


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Following his master refusal to swear fealty the Portuguese Knight Egas Moniz de Ribadouro accompanied by his wife and children travels to King Alfonso VII of Castile and León capital to turn himself over to the King’s justice. Each of them has a rope around their necks symbolizing their shame and repentance. King Alfonso VII of Castile and León is so moved by his honor that he pardons him and his family and allows them to return to Portucalense.

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Since 1122 when he had made himself a knight at the age of 14 on his own accord in the Cathedral of Zamora under the guidance of the Bishop of Braga D Afonso Henriques has been gathering support amongst the peasants, clergy and nobles of the Condado. After about six of preparation he finally challenges his mother for control of the Condado. On July 14, 1128 at the Battle of São Mamede outside of Guimarães he overcomes his mother’s forces and takes control of the Condado de Portucalense. His mother D Teresa is exiled to Galiza for the remainder of her life.

On April 6 1129 D. Afonso Henrique follows up his seizure of power and proclaims himself Principe de Portugal. The following year he invades Galiza capturing over a dozen castles meanwhile his mother of dies in Galiza. In 1135 he turns his attention to the south and leads the Portuguese forces against the Moors and conquers Leiria.

On July 25th 1139 following the Portuguese victory over the Almoravida forces at the Battle of Ourique D Afonso Henriques proclaims Portuguese independence. D Afonso Henriques had finally accomplished the dreams laid out by his father; the Condado de Portucalense was finally transformed into the Kingdom of Portugal.



Reign of D. Afonso I (1139 – 1185)

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After proclaiming Portugal’s independence in 1139 D Afonso Henriques (Afonso I) faced a monumental task. He needed to secure his independence from his cousin the King of much larger Kingdom of Castela and Leão. Just as importantly he needed to secure Papal recognition of Portugal’s independence. To accomplish the second he needed to provide proof of Portugal’s determination and capabilities in regard to spread the true and only faith and drive the Infidels from the Peninsula. To do so, he will need to push the Moors south to the Rio Tejo and beyond.

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Following the capture of Leiria in 1135 the village is fought over again two years later when the Moors attack and Leiria is once again liberated then on July 25, 1139 D Afonso Henriques defeats the numerically superior Almorávida forces led by the Emir Ali ibn Yusuf at the Battle of Ourique. Following the battle Portuguese independence is proclaimed. D Afonso Henriques assembles the first Cortes de Lamego, where he was given the Crown from the Bishop of Braga, to confirm Portuguese independence and becomes Portugal’s 1st king (Afonso I).

The following year the Portuguese defeat the Kingdom of Castela and Leão at the battle of Arcos de Valdevez and moves his capital south to Coimbra on the Rio Mondego. Unfortunately Portuguese forces are defeated in their attempt to capture Santarem and Lisboa. This is followed by a Moor counter attack which re-captures Leiria and pushing the Portuguese north to the Rio Mondego. D Afonso Henriques refits his troops and in 1142 they recapture Leiria giving it its foral signifying the colonization of the area.

In 1143D Afonso Henriques accomplishes his first goal; Afonso VII of Leão and Castela recognizes Portuguese independence with the signing of the Treaty of Zamora between Portugal and Kingdom of Castela and Leão. From that time on D. Afonso attempts to get Papal recognition of Portuguese Independence by providing large donations to the church and founding several convents. He declares Portugal subject to the Catholic Church and pledges to continue the fight against the Moors.

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Following the signing of the treaty with his larger neigbour, D Afonso Henriques moves to secure his lineage and the country’s independence. In 1146 he marries Mafalda de Saboia, the daughter of Amadeus III of Savoy, Count of Savoy. With the kingdom secure internally and from invasions from his fellow Christian monarchs D Afonso Henriques turns his attention to the Moors once more. In March of 1147 he leads the Portuguese forces and conquers Santarém from the Muslims but is unable to take Lisboa.

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On June 16, 1147 a fleet of close to 200 ships carrying over 12,000 Christian Crusaders bound for the Holy Land sought shelter in the northern Portuguese city of Porto from storm. There they met with Bishop Pedro II Pitões who convinced them to meet with King Afonso I. Once they agreed to meet him King Afonso I left Santarem and rushed north to meet them. In Porto he convinced them to help him take Lisboa and in return they could keep everything they found along with the ransoms money from the prisoners. The Portuguese and Crusaders took the surrounding area and began the siege on July 1. After four months of siege the Muslims surrender the city of Lisboa and the surrounding area due to hunger within the city because the city was also sheltering the people from around the city and Santarem.

The conquest of Lisboa left Portugal with control of all lands north of the Rio Tejo. Many of the crusaders decided to settle in the area including Gilberto de Hastings who became the city’s first Bishop, while the rest continue sailing towards the Holy Land.

In 1149 the Muslim camp the Almóada Dynasty starts conquering the Almorávidas Dynasty resulting in many of the Muslim Taifas declares their independence. The Almóada Dynasty soon invades the Peninsula Ibérica and begins the re-conquest of the Taifas. Over the next six years the Taifas of Badajoz, of Beja, Évora Mértola and Silves are taken by the Almóada.

In 1154 D. Sancho is born (later becomes Sancho I of Portugal) he is the only legitimate male child to survive infancy; Sancho had two older and one younger sister.

In 1157 Afonso VII of Castela and Leão dies and the Kingdom Castela and Leão is split between his sons Afonso and Fernando. Fernando ascends the throne of the independent Kingdom of Leão and Galiza and becomes Fernando II of Leão. His brother Sancho becomes Sancho III of Castela and Toledo. One year later Sancho III of Castela and Toledo dies; he is succeeded by his eldest son Afonso VIII who is proclaimed king at the age of 3 years. Afonso VIII placed under uncle Fernando Rodríguez de Castro regency. In 1160 the Castilian regency seized by Manrique Pérez de Lara, Fernando Rodríguez de Castro flees to Leão and gathers an army and returns to Castile.At the Battle of Lobregal the two combattants for the regency met. Nuño Pérez de Lara, the brother of the young Alfonso's regent, Manrique Pérez de Lara fought off Castros forces which resulted in a victory for Lara family. Fernando Rodríguez de Castro once more was forced to flee back to Leão.1

Ten years after conquering Lisboa D. Afonso Henriques once more expand their border south with the conquest of conquers Alcácer do Sal from the Muslims in 1158. He then moves south and conquers Évora and Beja from the Muslims in 1160. Meanwhile in the north, the city of Tomar is founded. Over the next five years the border changes hand repeatedly with Alcácer do Sal, Évora and Beja falling to the Moors again and being retaken back.

In the north along the Portuguese-Leão border, Fernando II of Leão began repopulating and fortifying Cidade Rodrigo in 1166. The Portuguese became alarmed believing it to be a staging area for the invasion of Portugal by Leão. In 1168 Afonso I sent his recently knighted 14 year old son at the head of a Portuguese army to take Cidade Rodrigo. When news arrives in Leão, Fernando II of Leão rushes to Cidade Rodrigo to beat back the Portuguese attack.

Battle of Cidade Rodrigo; Portuguese forces led by D. Sancho battle Leão’s forces led by Fernando II of Leão. The battle began going in Leão’s way and D. Sancho was in jeopardy of being captured. Fernando II of Leão seeing this leads the Leão forces trying to capture D Sancho but instead he is killed in the battle and the rest of Leão’s forces loose heart and are routed. Cidade Rodrigo is occupied by Portugal.2

Taking advantage of the anarchy since Fernando II of Leão left no descendents, Afonso I claims the crown of Leão and invades Galiza in 1168. The city of Tui is captured in 1169 and by the end of 1170 all of Galiza is under Portuguese control.

In the south; D Sancho leads the remaining Portuguese forces and captures Cáceres first then besieges and captures Badajoz which was under the control of the Saracen’s but subject to Leão.

In Castela, the 17 year old Afonso VIII of Castela becomes incensed at Alfonso’s actions and his claim on Leão’s crown decides to claim the crown for himself and reunite the two kingdoms under him. He assembles an army and marches west to wrestle the Kingdom of Leão from Afonso’s grasp.

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On October 10, 1172 the Portuguese and Castela forces confront each other in the Battle of City of Leão. Afonso I accompanied by his son D. Sancho leads the Portuguese forces against Afonso VIII Castela and his Castilian forces, the Portuguese score a decisive victory and Afonso VIII of Castela is forced to withdraw from Leão to regroup. City of Leão falls to Portuguese forces, all Leão nobles ordered to declare their allegiance to the Portuguese crown. The city of Oviedo under the control of the Vermúdez family was the only one to defy the Portuguese king’s edict so he marched on the city and besieged it for one month till it surrendered and the Vermúdez family swear fealty to the Portuguese crown.

Muslim forces taking advantage of Christian fighting against each other launch new attacks against both Castela and Portugal in 1173. Both countries loose territory and are pushed north. Portugal looses the entire Alentejo province and their city of Santarem is besieged. While in Castela looses all territory south of the Rio Tejo

On July 15, 1174 the Battle of Cidade Rodrigo between the Portuguese and Almóados result in Portuguese victory. The Portuguese army of 20,000 men under D. Afonso I stops the Muslim advance. The Portuguese defeat the moors forcing them retreat south toward Seville, while the Portuguese marched south to relieve the Portuguese city of Santarem being besieged by the Yusuf I, the Almóada Caliph. D. Sancho who was in charge of the defences of the city upon seeing the Portuguese relief army orders his soldiers out of the city and attacks the besiegers from the rear at the same time the Portuguese army under his father attacks them from the north.3

On September 12 Yusuf I, Almóada Caliph, dies in the battle of Santarem and the defeated Muslims are forced to retreat out of Alentejo and Estremadura back to Andalusia. Portugal controls all lands west and north of the Rio Guadiana to the Monchique Mountains including city of Badajoz.

In Seville Abu Yusuf Ya'qub al-Mansur succeeds to the Almóada throne. He then directs his forces instead on attacking Castile and besieges Toledo.

Faced with strong Muslim force besieging Toledo the weakened Afonso VIII of Castela approaches Alfonso I about help and peace between the two countries. Afonso VIII of Castela abandons all claims to the crown of Leão as a sign of peace. In 1174 agrees to a truce and Alfonso I arranges for the marriage of his daughter Infanta Urraca to be married to Alfonso VIII of Castela. In 1175 Alfonso I arranges for the marriage of his son and heir Sancho to Dulce Berenguer of Barcelona, daughter of the Conde Raimundo Berenguer IV of Barcelona and wife Queen Petronila of Aragão. Portugal provides Castela with support to break the Muslims siege of Toledo allowing Castela to regroup and recuperate.4

In 1179 D Afonso Henriques accomplishes his second goal the recognition of Portugal by the Holy See. Pope Alexander III In the papal bull Manifestis Probatum recognizes Portugal as an independent land with the right to conquer lands from the Muslims. Portuguese Independence is finally recognized 40 years after D Afonso had proclaimed it.

In 1183 the Treaty of Fresno-Levandera between Portugal and Castela recognizing Portugal’s border with Castela and the unification of Portuguese, Galiza and Leão Kingdoms under Portuguese crown.5

1185 – December 6, death of Afonso I (Portugal’s 1st king “o conquistador) at the age of 76. Having accomplished all three of his goals during his reign, he had secured Portugal’s independence from his Christian neighbors, got papal recognition of Portugal’s independence and lastly expanded the lands under Portuguese-Christian control south to the Monchique Mountains and all land north of Rio Guadiana to the Castela border.6

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1) In iOTL Castro return and retakes over the Regency. I tossed a coin and Castro lost. I had orriginaly intended this to be major event but due to dates just became a small divergence that while important in Castela was insignificant overall.

2) In iOTL Leon forces are victorius and the Portuguese are routed. King Fernando lives on and captures Afonso in Badajoz forcing him to ransom all his conquests in Galiza. Leon would continue till 1230 when his grandson dies hierless and Castela absorbs Leon.

3) The Muslim forces besiege Santarem and a combined force of Portuguese-Leon forces break the siege and push them back but both Portugal and Leon are pushed back to Rio Tejo. Here a combined country fields a much greater force breaking the Muslim advance and killing the Muslim leader. In iOTL Ysuf I, Almoada Caliph dies a few years later. The Battle of Cidade Rodrigo was a great victory for the Leon forces and pushed the muslim forces south of the Rio Tejo.

4) In iOTL Urraca marries Fernando II of Leao, providing the warming of relationship between the two countries and Fernando II comes to his father-inlaws help at the siege of Santarem.

5) The treaty was between leon and Catela to settle the border and fighting between the two countries. Since Portugal now borders Castela it can be transfered over to Portugal-Castela.

6) A united country comprising of Portugal, Galiza and Leon could and had the capability of achieving the level of conquest against a enemy besieged from all sides. So in this TL Portugal at the end of Afonso I reign is all the way down to Monchique Mountains (between Algarve and Alentejo.

[Archangel]

Subscribed, Lusitania!:)

[Dathi THorfinnsson]

I missed the PoD. Obviously Portugal (e Galiza e Leão) does better, but I'm not familiar enough with the time or place to see what happened differently. Obviously, with your text book style, you can't be talking about PoDs in the text, but, maybe footnotes? Hmmm..... How about footnotes numbered 1,2,3,... for the footnotes in the original textbook and a,b,c,... for your glosses?

[Lusitania]

I missed the PoD. Obviously Portugal (e Galiza e Leão) does better, but I'm not familiar enough with the time or place to see what happened differently. Obviously, with your text book style, you can't be talking about PoDs in the text, but, maybe footnotes? Hmmm..... How about footnotes numbered 1,2,3,... for the footnotes in the original textbook and a,b,c,... for your glosses?

I have entered the footnotes, I actually omited them on purpose to get some interest in the TL. In future posts I will make them part of the post at time of posting and not after. See orriginal post for foot notes.

[Lusitania]

Reign of D. Sancho I (1185 – 1211

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In 1185 following the death of his father Afonso I, D Sancho is proclaimed King of Portugal, Galiza and Leão. He inherited a kingdom that almost encompassed half of the Península Ibérica Christian controlled land’s but was beset by tensions between the noble houses as well as three main groups: Portuguese, Galicians and Leones. The kingdom was still beset by enemies both Christians and Muslims. King Afonso VIII of Castela still had desires on the former kingdom of Leão only lack resources and opportunity prevented him from exercising his desire. To the south the Muslims under the Almorávida Dynasty continued their attacks on the Christian kingdoms Aragão, Castela and of course Portugal.

D. Sancho refrained from engaging their neighbours focusing instead on building the nation. He promoted the development of new industries and supported the growing middle class of merchants. It was also under his reign that the Portuguese Kingdom’s national treasury started to grow as expenditures for war greatly decreased.

What D. Sancho is most noted for was the populating of the vast empty areas of the kingdom. Numerous towns and villages were founded during his reign in some of the more remote parts of the country. Both the northern parts of the country as well as the newly conquered southern parts were repopulated and over twenty new Castles were constructed along Portugal’s border with the Muslims to guard Portugal’s frontier from attack.

While he is not noted for actively pursuing a plan of conquest the country continued to grow as D Sancho never shrank from his duty of defending the state and taking the war to the infidels when opportunity presented itself. Several important battles were won against the Almóada Muslim and territory taken.

As for the relationship between Kingdom of Portugal and the other three Christian Kingdoms it also changed as the strength and position of the country had grown. Portugal’s relative size and power now made it the principle power in the Peninsula a fact not lost of the King’s of Castela and Aragão. The relationship between three main kingdoms shifted with center of power moving west to Coimbra. This in turn gave rise to a more aggressive action by Alfonso VIII of Castela of which it did not always go in Castela’s way.

He brought to Portugal thousands of emigrants from other parts of Europe especially from Flanders and Borgonha. The Portuguese population and economy greatly increases due to growth in agriculture and commerce.

His rise to power started long before he became king, in 1168 D. Sancho was knighted by his father and from there he became his father’s assistant and right hand man both militarily as well administratively till his father death in 1185.

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In 1175 the Kingdom of Aragão feeling threatened by its neighbour Castela recognizes Portuguese independence and to cement the relationships of the country the Portuguese heir to the throne, D Sancho, marries Dulce Berenguer of Barcelona, daughter of the Conde Raimundo Berenguer IV of Barcelona and wife Queen Petronila of Aragão.

From this marriage nine children were born that survived infancy. The first three were girls Infanta Teresa born in 1181, Infanta Sancha born in 1182, Infanta Contança born in 1182. In 1185 Infante Afonso is born followed by his two younger brothers Infante Pedro born in 1187 and Infante Fernando born in 1189. Lastly three more daughters: Infanta Branca born in 1192, Infanta Berengaria born in 1195 and Infanta Malfada born in 1200.

In 1185 Abu Yusuf Ya'qub al-Mansur succeeds as Caliph of the Almóada Dynasty and spends the next five years reorganizing the Muslim forces in the Peninsula and brings over from Northern Africa thousands of new troops meanwhile keeping up the pressure against the three Christian Kingdoms on the Peninsula. His forces are stretched from the Atlantic in the west to the Mediterranean in the east. In the meantime he stays in North Africa battling against insurrection and also extending the Almóada Dynasty to Tunisia.

In 1189 D Afonso like his father 40 years earlier takes advantage of the huge crusade fleet stopping in port of Lisboa. He makes an agreement with the leaders of the third crusade to attack the Muslims south of the Monchique Mountains. In turn for their arms he agrees that they can keep everything in the city of Silves and the ransom money. The Caliph of Silves which had come under the control of the Almóada Dynasty in 1155 was a very rich area with a population of over 20,000 people. The third crusade fleet set sail from the port of Lisboa while D Sancho set forth south with an army of 10,000 knights and infantry. The crusade soldiers besiege and take the town while the Portuguese forces attack Paderno Castel in Albufeira and Faro thus pushing the Muslims forces east of the Rio Guadiana[1] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3213438#_ftn1).

In 1190 Abu Yusuf Ya’qub al-Mansur responds to the Portuguese offensive by returning from North Africa and launching a two prong attack on the Portuguese. One force led by him marches north into Alentejo towards Évora while the second force under Yabir ibn Yusuf marches into Algarve and after defeating the Portuguese forces in Faro and Albufeira march and besieges Silves.

On June 15 1190 the Battle of Évora between Muslim forces and the Portuguese army led by Sancho I. When Abu Yusuf Ya’qub al-Mansur and his 20,000 strong force arrived at Évora he found the town and castle defences greatly improved since its capture by Portugal. For three weeks he besieged the town hoping to take it before turning his attention to the northern Portuguese forces but was forced to abandon the siege at the arrival of the large Portuguese army under the banner of the Portuguese king Sancho I. The Portuguese forces which had rested the previous day to the north attacked the Muslim force as it disengaged itself from the siege and presented themselves to the attacking Portuguese. The battle lasted over two hours in which the city of Évora’s forces and garrison opened their gates and joined the attack. The battle proved too much for Abu Yusuf Ya’qub al-Mansur forces and he is forced to retreat after his left flank was routed. The Muslim forces lost over quarter of their soldiers including over 2,350 captured when part of the left flank was surrounded. More importantly the entire Muslim baggage train and supplies were abandoned forcing Abu Yusuf Ya’qub al-Mansur to retreat back to Seville.

After one day of rest D. Sancho gathered those soldiers who could continue on including many from the City of Évora and marched south to relieve the city of Silves. Following the Battle of Évora word of Portuguese victory raced ahead of the Portuguese army reaching both the besiegers and defenders of Silves simultaneously. For the Muslims it is a sign that their time in the Algarve is over and under Yabir ibn Yusuf they begin a desperate all out attack on the town hoping to capture it before relief army arrives. For the Portuguese forces it gives them great strength and hope that the Portuguese army will soon arrive and drive the invaders out.

On June 19 the Muslim forces fail to take the Castle of Silves after two breaches on the wall are repulsed. Several Muslim leaders argue for a second assault believing the defenders have been weakened but Yabir ibn Yusuf refuses and orders his forces to break the siege and retreat east. The Muslim forces break the siege and begin withdrawing east as D Sancho and his forces pass over the mountains to the north. On June 23 the last Muslim forces abandon all lands west of the Rio Guadiana.

To the east Alfonso VIII of Castela responds to the Portuguese victories with his own invasion south from 1190 to 1192 his forces are able to push the Almóada Muslims from the banks of the Rio Tejo south over the Rio Guadiana. Eager to continue their breakneck pace and capture as much territory as possible while the Portuguese to the east are reorganizing he launches an attack and captures Alarcos which he plans to use as a base for a move into Seville to the east and Andalusia to the south and west thus pinning his two neighbour (Aragão and Portugal). On May 1, 1192 at the battle of Battle of Alarcos, Alfonso VIII of Castela and his Castilian forces are defeated by a superior Muslim force led by a resurged Abu Yusuf Ya’qub al-Mansur. The Castilians are forced to surrender all lands south of Rio Guadiana as condition of an armistice. Alfonso VIII of Castela is weakened considerably with half his army destroyed and he has to abandon his dream of conquest while he concentrates on rebuilding his forces and at the same time guarding his flanks from possible attacks by the other Christian kingdoms.

Tensions between Castela, Portugal, Navarra and Aragão rise to new height with both Portugal and Aragão bringing their forces to the border with Castela when Alfonso VIII of Castela attacks the Kingdom of Navarra and captured La Rioja. The situation continued tense with all four countries on the verge of war until Abu Yusuf Ya’qub al-Mansur invaded Portugal for a second time. D Sancho quickly recalled his troops from the Castilian border and prepared once more to deal with the Almóada invasion. To secure his border D Sancho concluded a treaty with Castela recognizing its possession of all lands west of the Rio Ebro.

In 1195 Abu Yusuf Ya’qub al-Mansur once again invades Portugal once more with an army of over 50,000 men. This time his target was Badajoz on the Rio Guadiana from which he would be free to launch an invasion west or north. The city of Badajoz holds out for over one month repulsing two assaults. On June 3 1195 three separate armies arrive on the scene. From the west D Sancho leads an army of 32,000 Portuguese and Galizan forces. From the east the Duque of Oviedo approaches with an army of 14,000 Leonese and Portuguese forces. Lastly from the south the Knights of Templar under the command of Gualdim Pais arrive leading a force of 11,000[2] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3213438#_ftn2).

The battle proved very difficult for the three separate Portuguese forces each under their own command. The forces were unable to take advantage of many opportunities to defeat the Muslim army instead their combined weight finally forced Abu Yusuf Ya’qub al-Mansur to order his forces to retreat on concern they could be surrounded.

This time D Sancho reorganizes his forces and pursues the retreating Muslim army south. On the banks of the Rio Guadalquivir Portuguese army once more attack the Muslim invaders. During the Battle of Seville the Portuguese combined army of 40,000 men attack and defeat Almóada force. Abu Yusuf Ya’qub al-Mansur and his army suffer heavy casualties and are pinned against the river forcing Abu Yusuf Ya’qub al-Mansur to negotiate his own ransom.

The Treaty of Seville between Almóada Muslim and Portugal gives Estremadura and Huelva to Portugal to the Rio Guadalquivir. In addition the Almóada are forced to turn over 50,000 Christian salves living under the Almóada rule.

Tensions between Portugal and the other three Christian kingdoms on the Peninsula rise once again. To placate his brother-in-law, Alfonso VIII of Castela, D Sancho agrees to recognize Castile’s claim to the rest of Andalusia as well as provide it with financial support. Unfortunately for the Castilians just as they receive this support Portugal releases thousands of Muslim soldiers thus preventing Castela and Aragão from making good on their improved situation and the Muslim and Christian border changes very little over the next decade or so.

The loss by Abu Yusuf Ya’qub al-Mansur to the Portuguese proves too much for the Almóados following his return to the Almóada capital of Marráquexe along with the rest of the captured Almóados leaders he is deposed by his son Muhammad an-Nasir.

Over the next decade or so till his death D Sancho concentrated exclusively on building up the country numerous new towns and villages were founded as well city charters were granted too many cities.

D Sancho also worked hard at solidifying his control over the country and increasing Portugal’s trade and diplomatic ties to other European countries. In 1198 he arranged for the double marriage of his eldest daughter Infanta Teresa to heir of the Aragão crown Prince Peter (later to be known as Peter II the Catholic) this was followed by the marriage of Contança of Aragão daughter of King of Aragão to Portuguese heir Infante Afonso[3] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3213438#_ftn3).

Having secured Aragão’s good will D Sancho followed through with additional royal ties. In 1200 he arranged for the marriage of his second daughter Infanta Sancha to the newly crowned John I of England who had ascended to the English throne due to the death of his older brother Richard[4] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3213438#_ftn4).

In 1207 he arranges the marriage of his second son, Infante Pedro, to Blanche of Navarre, daughter of Sancho VI of Navarre and widow of Count Theobald III of Champagne after his death without any issue. Infante Pedro is made Duque de Leão[5] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3213438#_ftn5).

In 1210 D Sancho second youngest daughter is married to King Valdemar II of Denmark.

On the issue of relationship between the Portuguese crown and Catholic Church strains appear as the powers given to the church by his father in order to gain Papal recognition of Portugal’s independence. The Knight Templers control almost one third of the Alentejo as well as over 20 castles in the country but are upset they did not receive any more lands and territory in the newly conquered territory to the east and south.


On October 10, 1211 Portugal’s second king (“o Povoador”) died at the age of 57.


[1] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3213438#_ftnref1)In iOTL Silves was captured but lost two years later due to King of Leão forcing the King to stay in the north in case of Leão invasion.

[2] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3213438#_ftnref2)In 1195 Al-Mansur much stronger soundly defeats Alfonso VIII of Castela at the battle of Alarcos keeping the Castilians pinned to the Rio Tejo for the next two decades.

[3] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3213438#_ftnref3)In iOTL Infanta Teresa married King Afonso IX de Leão bestowing on him two daughters but no boys while Infante Afonso married Urraca of Castela. Since here the king of Castela is married to sister of Portuguese King there is no new marriages. King Peter II of Aragão married Marie of Montpellier (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie_of_Montpellier), daughter and heiress of William VIII of Montpellier (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_VIII_of_Montpellier).

[4] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3213438#_ftnref4) In iOTL Infanta Sancha became Abbess of Lorvão and King John I of England married Isabella of Angoulême.

[5] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3213438#_ftnref5)In iOTL Infante Pedro moved out of the country and becomes Consort Count of Urgell, and later titular Count of Urgell and Lord of the Balearic Islands. He lived in León (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Le%C3%B3n) and married Arembiaux Armengel, Countess of Urgell


http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/3751/iberianpeninsula1212.jpg

[Lusitania]

Updated D Sancho post by adding additional information. Information added in "Italic".

Thanks

[Astronomo2010]

excelent , lusitania, consider it subscribed.:)

[Janprimus]

“De Condado a Império”

the Unabridged History of the Portuguese

2nd Condado de Portucalense I (1095 – 1139)





In 1820 after a longtime of rivalries D. Teresa Condessa de Portucalense and her lover’s position and well as the direction she is leading the Condado come to a head with the Bishop of Braga. D Afonso Henriques takes the side of the Bishop putting him in direct confrontation with his mother.

In 1821 Alfonso Raimúndez makes the first of two marches into the Condado, this time as a representative of his mother the Queen he has come to enforce the fealty of the Condado. D Teresa is captured but is released on the promise of honoring the fealty towards Kingdom of Castela and Leão. Then in 1126 Queen Urraca dies and her son Alfonso Raimúndez becomes Alfonso VII of Leão and Castela. Following his ascension to the throne and the failure of D Alfonso Henriques to renew his fealty King Alfonso VII of Castela and León invades Portucalense and besieges Guimarães in 1127. The Portuguese Knight Egas Moniz de Ribadouro manages to make King Alfonso VII of Leão and Castela accept promises of Portuguese fielty.


Excellent TL, however I found these inconsitencies (in red); and it takes time to get used to those place names in Portuguese, however if I ever find the time and courage to write a TL, I'm considering to use Dutch place names;).
More in general it is well written and the TL is set in an interesting period particularly for this region. And finally since I'm Dutch I only knew something about the general history of the region, so it might help to improve my knowledge on Portuguese history:).

[Lusitania]

Excellent TL, however I found these inconsitencies (in red); and it takes time to get used to those place names in Portuguese, however if I ever find the time and courage to write a TL, I'm considering to use Dutch place names;).
More in general it is well written and the TL is set in an interesting period particularly for this region. And finally since I'm Dutch I only knew something about the general history of the region, so it might help to improve my knowledge on Portuguese history:).


Thanks, I correct the master copy as for the posts they are over the one week period allowed for change so I will have to live with it.

Keep reading, hope you keep enjoying. Next up Afonso II.

[Lusitania]

Reign of D. Afonso II (1211 – 1228)


http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/3316/afonsoiip.jpg
On October 15 1211 D Afonso II was proclaimed king of Portugal, Leão, Galiza and Algarve at the age of 26.

His reign was the first reign that the Kingdom of Portugal did not gain any territory from its neighbours either Christian or Muslim. This was in part due to the Treaty of Toledo entered into Alfonso VIII of Castela in 1196 by his father which had recognized the rest of Andalusia under Castela sphere.

Alfonso VIII of Castela had over the preceding years been battling the Almóada Muslims with limited success, although he had been able to push the Castela frontier to the Rio Guadiana. Following the Portuguese victory at the Battle of Seville he had grown angry at the Portuguese lack of support and refusal to help Castela “reconquista”[1] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3243423#_ftn1). Both the king of Castela and its bishops complained to Rome regarding Portugal’s failure to provide assistance and its failure to attack the infidels.

The growing conflict between the Catholic Church in Portugal and Portuguese crown added to the general dissatisfaction of Pope Innocent III towards D Afonso II. In 1212, less than six months following his ascension to throne, D Afonso II and the kingdom were placed under interdict by Pope Innocent III.

The papal interdict caused severe problems for the king with many nobles and peasants growing dissatisfied with his rule and the predicament of the country. The Bishops and religious orders completely rejected any limitation on their privileges and taxation on their property. In addition they were displeased with the both the previous and the current kings refusal to extend the privileges and grant land in the newly conquered territory. Fortunately for the king circumstances outside the country distracted all attention away from the interdict and rallied both the church and people behind the crown as it battled for the country’s very survival.

On May 20 1212 Muhammad an-Nasir crossed the strait and lands on the Peninsula Ibérica with a war host numbering over 250,000 soldiers. The Almóada Caliph had in turn striped his North Africa possessions of most his soldiers and lead an Islamic Jihad to reclaim the Peninsula back from the Christians[2] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3243423#_ftn2).

Over the next two months he slowly built up his army while at the same time recruited an additional 50,000 men from the Muslim lands in the peninsula. Both Portugal and Castela suffered repeated attacks along its border with the Muslims. The four Portuguese Castles along the Rio Guadalquivir come under repeated attacks with the Henrique Castle falling to a large Muslim force on June 20. A Portuguese army of over 20,000 under the command of D Alfonso II recaptured the castle on July 1 but the situation was anything but secure.

On the Castela-Almóada frontier King Alfonso VIII of Castela was not as fortunate, Castela lost six castles and strongholds during the month of June and July.

With the Christian Kingdoms in the Peninsula in jeopardy of falling Pope Innocent III called for a Crusade to drive the Infidels out. Answering his call over 50,000 knights and infantry marched over the Pirenéus Mountains mostly from France. The kings of Aragão and Navarre also marched to war at the head of their armies.

In Portugal D Alfonso II made preparations for war once again in preparation for the expected call for Crusade. He was outraged that Alfonso VIII of Castela had been selected as the leader of the crusade even though Portugal was almost three times the size and power of Castela. Enraged he refused to leave Badajoz where the Portuguese army was gathering. After one week of discussion D Alfonso II finally agreed to answer the crusade but in lieu of the insult nominated his brother D Pedro, the Duque of Leão, to head the Portuguese army which numbered over 35,000 along with an additional 20,000 Religious Order troops from the three Catholic Religious Order in Portugal: Knights Templar, Knights Hospitaller and Order of Santiago. D Alfonso II marched south to the Rio Guadalquivir with remaining 20,000 soldiers to guard against Muslim attacks on Portugal.

When Duque of Leão and the Portuguese army arrived at the meeting place in Castela, there was much concern and anger over the decision of D Afonso II to send his brother instead of himself, but with over 50,000 men Portugal had the largest contingent in the Christian camp so the matter was dropped.

The Christian army was made up as follows: in the center Alfonso VIII of Castela with his army of 20,000 along with Spanish Religious orders and Christian Knights from France, on the left King Sancho VII of Navarre and King Pedro II of Aragão with approximately 50,000 soldiers while on the right would be the Portuguese under the Duque of Leão. Even with the Portuguese the Christian Army only numbered 150,000 solders of which only one quarter was knights and the rest infantry and they still were outnumbered two to one[3] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3243423#_ftn3).

On August 20 Alfonso VIII of Castela led the Christian army south over the mountains towards the Almóada camp just north of the Rio Guadalquivir in the middle of the Muslim lands. The Christian army Alfonso crossed the mountain range that defended the Almohad camp, sneaking through the Despeñaperros Pass. The Christian coalition caught Moorish army by surprise and attacked at dawn.


http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/7048/battleoflasnavasdetolos.jpg
At the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa the Moors were completely routed with the Portuguese and Navarre army broke through the confused and shocked Muslim lines reaching the central command area of Muhammad an-Nasir. For close to one hour, thousands of Almóada bodyguards were killed as the two Christian armies surrounded Muhammad an-Nasir preventing his escape. When King Sancho VII and the Duque of Leão finally reached the pavilion they found Muhammad an-Nasir already dead.

News of Muhammad an-Nasir death took all desire to fight from the remaining Muslim army and they surrendered en mass. The Almóada Dynasty was finished with the successor of the Almóada, Yusuf al-Mustansir amongst the death. Most of the Almóada viziers and their sons were either killed or amongst the captured, thus leaving the country without an effective ruler[4] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3243423#_ftn4).

In the Peninsula Ibérica the remaining Muslim Caliphs became independent and for the most part without any support from the Muslim till the Merínida Dynasty was able to establish control over most of Marrocos and parts of Algeria and in turn start providing them with help in the mid 1250s. In North Africa the Almóada Empire collapsed as Libya, Algeria and Tunisia declared their independence. In Marrocos the Merínida Dynasty arose and captured Marraquexe and over the next three decades extended their rule over the rest of Marrocos completely displacing the Almóada Dynasty.

On the Peninsula Ibérica, Castela and Aragão used the great victory as the Catalyst to launch a renewed attack on the Muslim lands. From 1212 to 1230 the Castilians and Aragonese extended their territory south taking much of Andalusia and Valencia from the Muslims.

In 1214 while Alfonso VIII of Castela was besieging Ubeda he died due to sickness. The Castilian forces under the command of his oldest son Sancho took the town as a memorial to his father and the town was renamed Alfonso in honour of his father. On October 10 1214 Sancho was crowned Sancho IV of Castela. Over the next decade he then led the Castilian forces in a string of conquests that left it in control of all lands north of the Rio Guadalquivir in Andalusia and Rio Seguro in Murcia.

Meanwhile Pedro II of Aragão too sought to increase his country’s holding with an attack into the Caliph of Valencia. From 1214 to 1218 the Aragonese conquered all lands to the Rio Jucar including the city of Valencia which fell on October 1 1218. Unfortunately Pedro II of Aragão was mortally wounded in the battle for the city and succumbed to his injuries on November 2. On November 10 his eldest surviving son James was proclaimed James I of Aragão.

In 1224 the three main Christian Kingdoms of the Península, plus at the insistence of Portugal Navarre signed the Treaty of Almizra defining the border of all three countries. Aragão claim to the remainder of the Caliph of Valencia was recognized as well as its claim the Balearic Islands. Portugal border with Castela was defined and as part of the peace treaty it turned over all lands captured by D Alfonso II south of the Rio Guadalquivir including Seville and Cadiz[5] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3243423#_ftn5). The independence of Navarre with its current borders was also recognized and its independence guaranteed by Portugal much to the resentment of both Castela and Aragão.

On the religious front, the interdict against Portugal was lifted in 1215 as a result of the Portuguese contribution to the defeat of the Muslim army at the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa, and D Alfonso II promise to restore the Catholic Church’s position and privilege in Portugal. But in 1220 he was excommunicated when he failed to follow through on his promises. It was only following his death that it was rescinded.

D Alfonso II also became embroiled in a dispute with his siblings especially his sisters Contança, Branca and Malfada whom his father had left several estates and castles. He resented the loss of revenue from these lands and it took the intercession of his brother the Duque of Leão on their behalf for them to receive their estates. On a conciliatory note none of the three sisters ever had issue and the estates returned to the crown following their deaths.


http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/2548/2rainhaddulce.jpg
On the subject of D Afonso II own matrimony and children, he and his wife Contança of Aragão had a total of four children which survived infancy. He was married in 1198 at the age of 13 but the marriage was only consummated in 1202 when Contança came to live in Coimbra. Their first child Infante Sancho was born in 1204. In 1206 their second son Infante Afonso was born, followed by their only daughter Leanor born in 1207. Lastly after four miscarriages and one still born, Infante Fernando was born in 1212.

Following the defeat of the Almóada Dynasty and the threat of invasion dissipated D Afonso II sought suitable mates for his children. In 1224 Sancho IV of Castela and D Afonso II agreed to the marriage of Infanta Isabela, youngest daughter of Alfonso VIII of Castela and sister of Sancho IV of Castela to Portuguese Infante Sancho. This marriage solidified Castela relationship with all its neigbours. As Sancho IV of Navarre had married Infanta Berquela of Castela in 1190 and James I of Aragão was married to Urraca of Castela in 1214.

In regards to D Afonso II second son Infante Afonso, he was married in 1226 to Beatrice of Savoy daughter Thomas I of Savoy. Following the marriage he became the Duque of Silves.

As for Sancho IV of Castela he had married Isabella of Angouleme in 1202.

While D Sancho was better remembered for the constant disputes with both the church and his siblings during his reign he concentrated on the country’s administration which he concentrated on himself. He is also credited with creating the first set of written laws mostly dealing with private property, civil justice and minting.

He continued his father’s program of establishing embassies to other European kingdoms outside of the Peninsula Ibérica and also expanding Portugal’s commercial interests with these countries.

In the years following the battle of Navas de Tolosa the Portuguese country was the witness of a renaissance in learning and intellectual as D Afonso II responded to the demands for learning and as a means of providing people with the ability to learn outside of the convents. In 1216 he establishes the University of Salamanca followed in 1227 by the University of Coimbra. Many criticized the expense and lavishness of these institutions and as a means of placating some of the criticisms many of the teaching posts are filled by religious men.

The establishment of these universities provided Portugal with the ability to present Portugal as the center for learning in the Peninsula. Thus taking away some of the growing prestige and importance of Castela which had come to be one of the most intellectual countries of Europe with many works from ancient Greek and Arabic being translated into Latin. In 1224 the University of Burgos was established by Sancho IV of Castela.

On January 2, 1228 D Afonso II, (Portugal’s 3rd King “o filósofo”) died at the age of 42.

http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/7105/iberia1230.jpg

[1] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3243423#_ftnref1)D Sancho had provided Castela with money and supplies but in the eyes of Castela it was not enough.

[2] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3243423#_ftnref2) In iOTL he crossed the strait in 1211 and only brought over about 100,000 to 150,000 men

[3] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3243423#_ftnref3)In iOTL the Christian forces numbered closer to 50,000 to 100,000 while the Almóada army was nearer 200,000. Tension amongst the French Christian forces and Castela’s tolerance of Muslim and Jews living under had caused almost half of them to abandon the Crusade and return back to France.

[4] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3243423#_ftnref4) The Muslim army suffered over 25,000 casualties and 200,000 soldiers were captured the remaining escaped south and were eagerly taken by the surviving Muslim Caliphs to fend off the victorious northern Christian Kingdoms. While the Christians lost close to 8,000 men of which half were knights including many Christian Order knights. In iOTL Muhammad an-Nasir escaped to Marraquexe but was killed the following year and his son Yusuf al-Mustansir succeeded him and delayed the collapse of the Almóada Dynasty by ten years.

[5] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3243423#_ftnref5) iOTL the treaty was strictly between Castela and Aragão and set out the same lines of conquest.

[Geordie]

Subscribed. :)


I really like the start you've made, and look forward to seeing more. I would have liked to see Portugal hang on to Seville and Cadiz, especially seeing what effect that could have on things when the Americas are discovered.

As it is, I've always loved the idea of a stronger Portugal, so shall follow this TL with interest.

[Janprimus]

One remark about the border between Aragon and Castille, since Castille is weaker ITTL couldn't Aragon gain somewhat more territory, in particular more of (the kingdoms of) Valencia and Murcia?

[Lusitania]

Subscribed. :)


I really like the start you've made, and look forward to seeing more. I would have liked to see Portugal hang on to Seville and Cadiz, especially seeing what effect that could have on things when the Americas are discovered.

As it is, I've always loved the idea of a stronger Portugal, so shall follow this TL with interest.

It is early in the interaction of the country and you never know what will happen in the future, keep an eye out for new posts.

One remark about the border between Aragon and Castille, since Castille is weaker ITTL couldn't Aragon gain somewhat more territory, in particular more of (the kingdoms of) Valencia and Murcia?

Yes they will but King James was forced to spend a considerable amount of time bringing his nobles in line. For the first 10 years or so after his becoming king he was forced to deal with a considerable amount of insurection from many of his nobles both iOTL and here.

[Gonzaga]

Interesting TL, subscribed!:)

Just a doubt, how are the butterflies affecting Navarre? Could we see them regaining power in the Peninsula of the kingdom was already too weak by that age to annex lands from the neighbours?

[Lusitania]

Interesting TL, subscribed!:)

Just a doubt, how are the butterflies affecting Navarre? Could we see them regaining power in the Peninsula of the kingdom was already too weak by that age to annex lands from the neighbours?

The winds of change are abound, for those that remember Blanche the younger sister of the king of Navaree was a widow of with child in Champagne. Here she was childless and remaired the future duque of Leon who was the kings younger son.

Sancho VII of Navaree is still going to get sick and his younger sister is going to be regent how will Castile and Aragon react. Intersting times ahead.

[Lusitania]

Reign of D. Sancho II (1228 – 1238[1] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3248177#_ftn1))

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e9/SanchoII-P.jpg
On January 8, 1228 D Sancho II was proclaimed as King of Portugal, Leão, Galiza and Algarve at the age of 23.

The reign of D Sancho II was marred by the continued conflict between the Church Hierarchy in Portugal and the king as well as many nobles. The principle antagonists on the side of the Catholic Church were the Archbishop of Braga Estêvão Soares the most powerful Church leader in Portugal, and the Bishops of Porto and Lisboa Martinho Rodrigues and Soeiro Viegas.

In the later years of his father’s reign, D Afonso II, which due to incapacitation from sickness Infante Sancho was regent this conflict had become more serious with each of the bishops lands and property being attacked by armed knights. In 1229 Archbishop of Braga Estêvão Soares was forced to flee east first to the city of Leão and finally to Castela and his lands and property attacked and many churches doors locked.

In 1230 Pope Gregório IX issued a papal bull against D Sancho II for his actions against the church and its people. In Castela Archbishop of Braga Estêvão Soares attempted to convince Sancho IV of Castela to invade Portugal. Faced with the real possibility of a Crusade against it the Portuguese nobles besiege D Sancho II to end the conflict.

In 1232 D Sancho relented under the constant demands by nobles and merchants to normalize relationship between Portugal and Rome. He signed an agreement with the church promising to take no action against it or its members and property. Archbishop of Braga Estêvão Soares was allowed to return to Portugal having been unsuccessful in his attempts to sway Castilian to attack Portugal. For the next two years the country lived an uneasy truce, but the situation quickly escalated with armed knights and bandits running rampant throughout the kingdom.

Over the previous two decades before the start of D Sancho II reign the country’s economy had been suffering due to smaller harvests and increased food prices which had resulted in increased hunger and despair. Government revenues had decreased and subsequently plunged the country into great difficulty. The rampart pillaging and destruction of estates and farms added enormously to the misery the country suffered.

Many properties belonging to church were attacked with several estates belonging to the Bishops of Leão, Vigo and Badajoz as well as Braga, Porto and Lisboa destroyed and plundered. In 1236 D. Soeiro Viegas called for armed struggle against the illegal actions of the king and his excommunication. D Sancho II responded by proclaiming an order prohibiting the Bishop of Lisboa to build any monasteries, churches or chapels.

Later that year Pope Gregório IX excommunicated D Sancho II, advising the country to choose a new king. A defiant D Sancho II rallies an army and marched south against the Bishop of Lisboa who too was gathering an army of knights belonging not only to the religious orders but also many of the noble houses of the country.

On their way south D Sancho II forces clash with Bishop of Lisboa forces near the city of Santarém but each side withdraws and awaits further orders. Before D Sancho II can order his troops south he is forced to return to Coimbra when news arrives of a second armed forced marching south from Leão.

From October 1236 to March 25, 1237 D Sancho II feeling completely isolated politically and military barricades himself in Coimbra while the country descends into anarchy. On December 2 the Duque de Leão raised an army of close to 20,000 soldiers and knights including knights from several religious orders and secures Leão and Galiza. Over the next six months he receives the support of most Portuguese, Galizan and Leonese nobles and comes to control all lands north of the Rio Douro.

On March 10 he marched east and attacked several hundred Castilian soldiers and nobles who had invaded Portugal hopping to take advantage of the countries anarchy. The Portuguese drive the Castilian east and secure the border from future attacks.

In the south the Duque of Silves, D Sancho II younger brother takes up the cause of the country and secures most of the south. In February 10 he meets with his younger brother Infante Fernando at Badajoz and secures his support. Infante Fernando stays in Badajoz to guard against possible Castilian attack while the Duque of Silves marched north securing Beja, Setubal and Almada before crossing the Rio Tejo and securing Lisboa on March 30. His plans to move north against his brother are disrupted when news reaches him of the disposition of the king and his recognition of Afonso as regent.

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/7682/4rainhadisabela.jpg
When D Sancho II married Isabela of Castela in 1224 there had been much hope that the marriage would give Infante Sancho some stability and strength since his teenage years had been plagued by indecision and several questionable exploits with several noble ruffians. At first the marriage did provide Infante Sancho with some stability and it was hoped it would produce several children to secure the lineage. But after two miscarriages Isabela grew sick and D Sancho mood changed as he lost his wife’s influence. When he ascended to the throne hope once again abounds in the land as the queen was once again pregnant[2] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=postreply&t=152409#_ftn1).

On June 1 1228 Infante Pedro was born but the pregnancy was a terrible strain on the queen and she is confined to bed for almost a year. In 1232 she once again miscarriages, and for the next three years is sick most of the time and spends much of her time confined to bed or resting. In 1235 she miraculously makes what seems to most a full recovery and once more in 1236 at height of the political and civil war becomes pregnant.

When D Sancho II returned to Coimbra and barricaded himself in the city from his enemies, maneuvers were set in motion to allow him to abdicate in favour of his seven year old son Infante Pedro. But D Sancho II opposed any plan that would see him give up the throne. On March 10 disaster besets the city of Coimbra and the besieged Portuguese government, as plague hits the city. Hopes for those in the castle evading the plague were dashed with them besieged in the city and the country revolting against them. On March 19 the plague made its way into the castle and on March 22 the Queen and Infante Pedro as well as half the court are infected.

On March 25 the king’s will to live and any hopes for the future were dashed with the death of both his pregnant wife and heir. D Sancho II entered into a catatonic state which he never recovered. Couriers were sent from the city to the various forces through the land reaching the Duque of Silves and the Duque de Leão in the following month.

The Duque of Silves never marched north to Coimbra deciding instead to stay in Lisboa and govern the country as regent for his incapacitated brother. On April 25 the Duque de Leão, D Pedro, arrives recognizing his nephew D Afonso, the Duque of Silves as the heir to the throne and regent of the country.

On July 20, 1237 the city of Coimbra is opened again as the plague has died itself off. Over 3,500 people had died, almost one quarter of the population. On August 25 the Duque of Silves ordered the movement of the Portuguese capital from Coimbra to Lisboa. His incapacitated brother is left in Coimbra.

On February 2, 1238 D Sancho II, (Portugal’s 4th King “o capelo”) died at the age of 33


[1] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3248177#_ftnref1)In iOTL his reign lasted an additional 10 years more in part because he distracted people with the reconquista but here there is no reconquista making his problems more acute.

[2 (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=postreply&t=152409#_ftnref1)] In iOTL Sancho III never had any issue, and when he married he married a Castilian lady, Mecia Lopes de Haro, widow of Alvaro Peres de Castro, and daughter of Lope Díaz II de Haro and Urraca Alfonso de León, an illegitimate daughter of Aldonso IX of Leon. Which upset the country since she was not from a royal family

[Archangel]

Lisboa becomes the capital!:cool:

[Lusitania]

Lisboa becomes the capital!:cool:

In iOTL Lisboa became the capital in 1250s as apposed 1238, it was the same king who moved it, here due to plague and other circumstances it happened faster.

[Lusitania]

Reign of D. Afonso III (1238[1] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3251982#_ftn1) – 1271)


http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/7169/afonsoiiip.jpg
On February 22, 1238 D Afonso III was proclaimed King of Portugal, Leão, Galiza and Algarve at the age of 31.

In complete contrast to the reign of his late brother, D Afonso III quickly established an iron fist towards banditry and lawlessness that had plagued the country for the last decade. He bestowed privileges on supporters and those who rose up to defend the country. To defend the country and impose law he gave his brother Infante Fernando his former title, the Duque of Silves, and made D Pedro’s second son, Sancho, Conde de Vila Franca[2] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3251982#_ftn2).

He made peace with the Catholic Church and distributed large amount of land in Estremadura, Huelva and Algarve to the church and religious orders. He founded over one hundred towns especially in the sparsely populated south. He granted privileges to many cities by status and foral rights.

He listened to the people especially the middle class, small proprietors and merchants whom along with the most disadvantaged he protected from abuse and oppression from those in power specifically the nobles and church officials.

In 1244 he convened the country’s first “Corte” which not only had representatives from the nobles and clergy but also the middle class, merchants and commoners. He made laws that restricted the rights and privileges of the nobles and clergy much to their opposition. He also stopped the practice of preventative arrests and required that all charges and arrests be brought to a judge for them to determine the validity of the charges and the method of detention. He installed municipal magistrate (“alcaides”) in all castles and sent judges to the different towns and lands so that all inhabitants in the Kingdom of Portugal would have access to the same legal rights[3] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3251982#_ftn3).

In terms of taxation and economic development; he negotiated with the commercial class the extraordinary taxes. He helped develop the economy which with peace in the country side recovered greatly as the harvest as well the amount of land under cultivation increased. From northern Europe he brought to Portugal additional settlers. He expanded Portugal’s embassies and amicable trading to additional European countries. In 1245 Portugal established first commercial agreement with Henry III of England, which with other Northern European countries provided Portugal with new markets for its products.

He was recognized as an excellent administrator and completely re-organized the country administration so that it functioned better. He made sure all people including the three main groups Portuguese, Galizans and Leonese all felt part of the country.


In 1258 he established the general Inquirições to investigate the nature of holdings (both noble and church) and to recover whatever had been illegally taken from the crown. The royal commissions were met with much protest by the nobles and churches prelates. Any noble or church official who was found to be is possession of property that did not belong to it was forced to return it to the crown. Many of the prelates would subsequently leave the country when they faced with the prospect of persecution and loss of property.


This along with the with his direct taxation on the churches tithe and granting of municipal rights to towns and cities that challenged the churches powers led to a renewed clash with the Catholic Church. In 1262 he was excommunicated by the Bishops of Leão, Lisboa, Porto, Oviedo and Archbishops of Braga and Santiago de Compostela along with Pope Clemente IV. They had presented a document with 43 charges against D Afonso III. He was accused of stealing money’s earmarked for church expenses as his own, taking the tithe belonging to the bishops and archbishop, forcing clergy to work on defences and imprisoning and executing clergy without authorization of the bishops and archbishops. He was also accused of threatening the lives of the Bishops and Archbishops. Lastly he was accused of allowing Jews to work in government jobs including several administrative positions.


In 1265 the Cortes of Santarém exonerated him of all charges presented by the Bishops and Archbishops. The majority of the Cortes was composed supporters of the king; both nobles and representatives of all other aspect of the country overrode the clergy in a commission and found the church’s allegations baseless.
Pope Clemente IV rejected the Cortes resolution and ordered the excommunication of the king but due to the country size and power as well as the support of the people stopped short of ordering the prohibition on the kingdom in 1270.


D Afonso III was credited with bringing to Portugal the Franciscans and Dominicans much to the dismay of the Portuguese clergy already in the country. These new orders received almost half of the lands given the church in the territories captured by his father and grandfather (Algarve, Estremadura and Huelva.


Navarre and Castela


In the Kingdom of Navarre, Sancho VII of Navarre and his wife Berengaria of Castela finally had an heir and infant son Sancho who was born in 1230, but unfortunately Berengaria of Castela died during the childbirth. With Sancho VII of Navarre health deteriorating due to an ulcer he retired from public life in 1232 and his youngest sister, Branca the Duchess de Leão was appointed as regent much to chagrin and resentment of kings of Castela and Aragão[4] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3251982#_ftn4).


In Castela, the 25 year old Henrique I of Castela had succeeded his father, Sancho IV of Castela in the preceding year. He along with most Castilians was suspicious of Portuguese intentions. While in Aragão they viewed Navarre as an integral part of Aragão and feared a play for the throne of Navarre by both Portugal and Castela. In 1235 Sancho VII of Navarre died leaving the kingdom in the hands of his sister. The five year old Infante Sancho was proclaimed Sancho VIII of Navarre on October 10, 1235.


Right from the time Sancho VIII of Navarre became king both Castela and Aragão attempted to get Branca the Duchess de Leão dismissed as regent but with the support of the Navarre nobles she remained regent till her death in 1239, leaving the nine year old Sancho VIII of Navarre alone. A flurry of diplomatic and intrigue between the three countries occurred over the next three months but on January 15 1240 the Duque de Leão, Sancho VIII of Navarre uncle was proclaimed as regent. Navarre nobles supported the appointment of the regent as the best means of maintaining Navarre independence.


Matters stayed tense but stable for the next seven years. In 1247 Sancho VIII of Navarre was married to Yolanda of Aragão, daughter of James I of Aragão. Yolanda was one year older than Sancho but they seemed to getting along. On June 27 1248 Sancho VIII of Navarre along with his wife died in an accident while they travelled on the way to Barcelona to visit her family. The royal carriage slid into an embankment when part of the road collapsed and they died from their injuries. Yolanda of Aragão died immediately while Sancho VIII of Navarre survived for two days before succumbing to his injuries.


The kingdom of Navarre was left without any direct male heir, and the closest living descendent was son of the Regent of Navarre. The Duque of Leão oldest son, Garcia who was living in the city of Leão administering the duchy on behalf of his father became the next in line for the throne of Navarre. On August 10 he left Leão with an escort and made his way across Leão to the Castela border and proceeded crossing Castela on his way to Navarre when he and his party were seized in the Castilian city of Burgos.


The actions of Henrique I of Castile plunged the Peninsula into a bloody four way tug of war for control of the kingdom of Navarre. Henrique I claimed the throne of Navarre and invaded the country attempting to enforce his claim. James I of Aragão campaigning in the Balearic Islands attacking the last island still under Muslim control Ibiza after seizing the two larger islands in the preceding years (Mallorca 1244 and Menorca 1246) responded to the Castilian invasion by attacking Castela as well as sending a force from Aragão to Navarre to defend the country as well as advance his own claim to the throne. In Navarre the regent rallied the nobles and people and set about defending the kingdom from Castela.


In Portugal D Afonso III responded to the seizure of Garcia and the invasion of Navarre by calling out the Portuguese army and marching east into Castela. On October 15 the Portuguese and Castilian armies met in the hills surrounding the Castilian city of Burgos. D Afonso III led a Portuguese army of 34,000 soldiers against the Castilian army of 28,000 led by Henrique I of Castela.


When news of Portugal’s invasion reached Henrique I of Castela who was besieging Pamplona he was forced to lifted the siege and marched west with his troops. On October 10 his forces crossed the overflowing Rio Ebro with some difficulty and continued west towards Burgos. The Castilian forces arrived at Padernales where the Portuguese were waiting on the 15th at noon. D Afonso III did not wait for the Castilian to array themselves choosing instead to launch an all out attack spearheaded by 10,000 knights from both the military orders as well as nobility. The Castilians were unable to absorb the attack and were pushed back. The battle continued once sided with the Castilians being pushed back and large portions of the Castilian army being surrounded. In the battle Henrique I of Castela was wounded but along with some of his knights was able to escape but the majority of his army was killed or captured including many Castilian nobles and/or their sons.


A wounded Henrique I of Castela sought refuge in the nearby city of Burgos but with the loss of his army the Castilian’s were in no shape to resist. When D Afonso III besieged the city and castle Henrique I of Castela afraid his kingdom becoming partitioned between his enemies requested terms. On November 1, 1248 the Treaty of Burgos was signed between the two countries. It was the single biggest defeat the Castilians had suffered since the battle of Battle of Alarcos. On December 15 when the two monarchs met with King James I of Aragão Castile in the city of Pamplona where Castela was once again punished by having to cede more territory to Aragão.


In the south James I of Aragão had landed in Murcia on October 1 and he and his army fresh from the victory liberating the last lands of the Balearic Islands from the Muslims. One week after the defeat on Henrique I of Castela in the north, Murcia fell to the Aragonese.


The Treaty of Burgos forced Castile to recognize the Kingdom of Navarre independence it also forced Castile to turn over almost all of its territory north of the Rio Ebro to Navarre. The Portuguese received over 20 border towns and castles along the Portuguese-Castilian border south of the Rio Douro as well as Castela was forced to give Portugal all lands south of the Rio Guadalquivir including Seville and Cadiz. In the case of Aragão Castile was forced to cede almost half of Murcia. In turn Portugal turned over all captives and promised to provide Castela with a force of 15,000 or the cost of maintaining one for a period of ten years to help in its reconquista. It also stipulated that Portugal would maintain its borders and not seek out any new territories on the Peninsula. Garcia along with all other Portuguese was released.


On November 30 Garcia IV of Navarre was crowned king to the joyous cheers of the people and noble of the country for not only had their independence been guaranteed but their kingdom grown in stature and size. In Portugal, his brother Sancho the Conde de Vila Franca became the heir to the Duchy of Leão while his youngest brother, Fernando, became the Conde de Vila Franca.


The Castilian recovered from their defeat and set about expanding their country again. In 1253 with the help of the Portuguese expeditionary force under the command of the 22 year old Infante Dinis, Henrique I of Castela defeated the last Muslim kingdom on the Peninsula. Battle of Teba pitted the Portuguese army of 15,250 knights and infantry under the command of Infante Dinis on the right, while Sancho IV of Castela and his army of 19,000 knights and infantry defeated an equal sized Muslim army under the command of the Mohammed I ibn Nasr, the first Sultan of Granada. The battle swayed back and forth for over four hours until finally the Christians won a slim victory. With both sides equally exhausted, Henrique I of Castela tired and in pain agreed to meet with Mohammed I ibn Nasr, the Sultan of Granada and made peace with Granada in exchange for some concessions.


The battle marked the end of official opposition to Christian for as part of the peace treaty between Granada and Castela. Mohammed I ibn Nasr gave up almost a third of the Emirate of Granada to Castela and promised to pay a yearly tribute to it, thus for all intensive purposes, becoming a vassal of Castela.


Following the Battle of Teba, Infante Dinis informed Henrique I of Castela that since Castela was done with its reconquista, Portugal’s treaty obligations were complete. He bid his farewell to the visibly upset Castilian king and gathered his knights and infantry and marched west back to Portugal.


When he left the king of Castela he first went to the pavilion of the Sultan of Granada and informed him that he had three months to release all Christian slaves and turn them over to the Portuguese otherwise Portugal would return to savage the country and no amount of help from Castela would save it. So cowed was Mohammed I ibn Nasr by the presence and threat of Infante Dinis that when he returned back to Granada he hastily turned over 20,000 Christians (both slaves and free) and sent them to Portugal.

In 1255 Henrique I of Castela died and was succeeded by his oldest son Infante Fernando, on July 15 1255 Fernando III was proclaimed King of Castela and Toledo.


Family Ties

http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/5340/5beatriceofsavoy.jpg
D Afonso III was married to Beatrice of Savoy, daughter of Thomas I of Savoy in 1226 at the age of 20[5] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3251982#_ftn5). After the marriage he was made the Duque of Silves by his father and subsequently moved there with his new wife. There he stayed governing all Portuguese lands south of the Monchique Mountains and raising his family till his rise to power in 1238. When he became king he brought both his wife as well as his seven surviving children north to Lisboa the new Portuguese capital. His oldest was Infanta Teresa born in 1227 who had been followed by Infanta Sancha born in 1228. When D Afonso III became king in 1238 he recognized his oldest son Infante Dinis born in 1230 as the heir to the Portuguese throne. In addition to the oldest three children, D Afonso III and Queen Beatrice also had three other children born in Silves. Infante Afonso was born in 1232, Infanta Maria was born in 1234 and Infanta Sancha was born in 1235. After becoming king, Infante Roberto was born in 1240 in Lisboa.


On the matter of matrimony Portugal, Castela and Navarre once more tried to reduce their tension and create a more stable political environment. In 1250 Infante Fernando of Castela (future Fernando III of Castela) was married to Infanta Maria of Portugal. In 1252 Infanta Eleanor of Castela is married to the widowed Garcia IV of Navarre. In 1255, two months before Henrique I of Castela died his youngest daughter Urraca was married to Infante Dinis. Thus once again Castela reinforces its ties with the other Christian kingdoms.

On July 21, 1271 D Afonso III, (Portugal’s 5th King “o algarvino”) died at the age of 64.

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/4905/iberia1271.png

[1] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3251982#_ftnref1)In iOTL His reign started in 1248 and ended in 1279, here since he is four years older and his brothers reign is much shorter his overall reign is longer but just different times

[2] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3251982#_ftnref2) In iOTL Infante Fernado died out in 1233 and D Pedro had never achieved any greatness so both dukes would not of existed.

[3] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3251982#_ftnref3) In iOTL the first court happened 10 years later

[4] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3251982#_ftnref4) Major change “In iOTL he never had issue and his sister Branca had been married in France and had one child who enherited the throne, no Castile or Aragon involvement.

[5] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3251982#_ftnref5) In iOTL Afonso not having many prospects in Portugal had married Matilde, heiress of Boulogne, thus becoming Count of Boulogne. When he became king he abdicated from the county of bologna and divorced Matilde. He had no living issue with Matilde. He married D Beatrix of Castile and their children were only born in the 1250s and 1260s. Thus when D Afonso III died in 1279 D Dinis was only 18 here he will be closer to forty.

[Guilherme Loureiro]

The increased territory(and population) is going to have all sort of effects in Portugal's ability to keep its empire - looking forward to it.

[Lusitania]

The increased territory(and population) is going to have all sort of effects in Portugal's ability to keep its empire - looking forward to it.

Yes it should be able to keep a much bigger empire but the most important factor is going to be not following Spains path and get involved in endless European intregue and wars.

[Janprimus]

Yes it should be able to keep a much bigger empire but the most important factor is going to be not following Spains path and get involved in endless European intregue and wars.

I guess that you could try to minimalize Portuguese involvement, but at certain points Portugal will get involved, mainly to protect their own intrests. Especially since Portugal will be among the greater European powers; this doesn't mean that they will be warmongering on the continent, but IMHO an attitude similar to OTL Britain's balance of power seems reasonable.

[Lusitania]

Reign of D. Dinis I (1271[1] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3261668#_ftn1) – 1272)


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f0/Dinis-P.jpg
On July 29 1271 D Dinis I was proclaimed as King of Portugal, Leão, Galiza, Algarve and Andalusia the age of 41.

Much was made of his reign; he had been an active partner in his father’s reign for over 20 years and had enacted many of the policies himself in the name of his father. He had travelled throughout the kingdom dispensing justice and promoting the country’s development. It was a complete shock when less than a year into his reign that he became sick and was bedridden. For two months the Portuguese court held its breath as the king’s health deteriorated. On June 15 the uncle D Fernando, the Duque of Silves arrived at the bequest of the king. On June 19 in his last act as king before he passed away he nominated D Fernando as regent for his twelve year old son Infante Fernando.

Family Ties

In 1255 Infante Dinis was married to Urraca of Castela daughter of Henrique I of Castela from this marriage four children were born: Constança in 1256, Infanta Maria in 1258, Infante Fernando in 1260 and Infante Afonso in 1260.

On June 20 1272 D Dinis I, (Portugal’s 6th King “o esperado”) died at the age of 42

[1] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3261668#_ftnref1)In iOTL His reign started in 1279 and ended in 1325, he was only born in 1260 and his reign started at the age of 18, here his reign starts at the age of 41 and unfortunately only lasts one year.

[Lusitania]

Reign of D. Fernando I (1272[1] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3262770#_ftn1) – 1329)


http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/7836/fernandoiq.jpg
On June 25 1272 D Fernando I was proclaimed as King of Portugal, Leão, Galiza, Algarve and Andalusia at the age of 12.

His first order of business was proclaiming his uncle D Fernando, the Duque of Silves as regent. The first several years his reign was subjected to a power struggle between the Duque of Silves and D Fernando I’s mother Urraca. She constantly sought ways to separate her son from the Duque of Silves by incriminating him in one matter or another. In 1276 D Fernando, the Duque of Silves, finally succumbed to the pressures of the office and died at the age of 64. D Fernando I waited several days following the funeral of his much beloved uncle before assembling court again. Many in court along with his mother expected him to appoint her as the next regent and the castle was abuzz with intrigue. But D Fernando I surprised everyone and proclaimed no regent and assumed full control of the throne. As for his mother he had her sent to a convent along with his two sisters for their part in contriving to seize the throne from him[2] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3262770#_ftn2).

For the first three years after assuming full control of the country, D Fernando I toured the country letting the people see him and also allowing him to see the country for himself. The country was huge and it took him over three years to traverse it from west to east and north to south. He was able to observe that large areas were completely desolate and most of it hard to traverse.

During his reign D Fernando I dedicated himself to the administration of the land. He promoted agriculture and promoted the movement of large number of people from the more densely populated north to the empty south. He re-distributed large amounts of lands throughout the kingdom to farmers. Under his direction, the establishment and founding of towns, agricultural communities, villages and farms was as great as all his predecessors. It was through this action that he received the name “O lavrador” the farmer.

He directed the building of the first “Estradas do Rei” Kings Road linking many towns and cities. He also established markets in numerous towns and regulated their activity. To protect agricultural lands between the Rios of Tejo and Mondego he ordered the planting of the “Pinhal de Leiria” Pine forest of Leiria (It still exists today). He promoted the settlement of foreigners in Portugal in the more remote and empty areas. Thousands of settlers from Flanders, Italian Peninsula as well as Eastern Mediterranean came to Portugal; at times the crown paid for their travel costs especially the Christian from Eastern Mediterranean who had lost their farms and lands due to war and Muslim attacks[3] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3262770#_ftn3).

It was in part as a result of the movement of people but also the need to protect Portugal vast coast that D Fernando I founded the Portuguese Navy under the command of Genoese admiral, Manuel Pessanha and built several docks. This was the first time Portuguese crown had the ability to extend its will and power over the oceans.

He ordered the exploration of mines of copper, silver, tin and iron and organized the export of the excess. The levels of export of not only minerals but also agricultural excess provided Portugal with the enviable position of being the dominant economy in the Peninsula Ibérica. But this economic power was also accompanied by it becoming the dominant military, intellectual and political power in the peninsula, which changed the attitudes and behavior of its neighbors and other European powers towards Portugal.

Cultura

D Fernando I was the first king that signed all his documents with his full name, something has had led some scholars to speculate he might have been the first truly literate Portuguese king.

D Fernando I was also known as the “o Rei-Poeta” for his fondness of literature which he both read enthusiastically as well as wrote many on a wide range of topics such as administration, hunting, science and poetry. He was also an accomplished Troubadour thus his other name, “o Rei-Trovador” he is credited with writing and composing over 221 songs in the three principle genres of the Portuguese-Leonese Lyric[4] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3262770#_ftn4).

Under his guidance Portugal became the leading cultural and intellectual country in the peninsula and one of the most important in Europe. Large number of Ancient Greek and Arabic books and texts were translated to Latin. The two Portuguese Universities which were under constant bickering and argument were strengthened and expanded thus emphasizing Portugal growing intellectual prestige.

In 1315 he decreed the establishment of the language of the people was to become the language of the government. This was a very contentious issue since three main cultural groups made up the country: Portuguese, Galizan and Leonese but even during his predecessors reign as well as his the three language groups had slowly been integrating into a more common language. Under his direction and influence the Portuguese language became the language of government, and law courts. To emphasize the new language he ordered the translation of hundreds of books and laws from Latin to Portuguese[5] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3262770#_ftn5).

Administraçao

Being a keen observer and very well read, D Fernandes built on the laws and administrative reforms instituted by both his grandfather and father and continued their development. He enacted numerous laws both civil and criminal that protected the lower classes from abuse and extortion from both the nobles and clergy. He also enacted many laws that not only established the rights but also the privileges of the various groups in the kingdom including nobles, clergy, alvazis (County officials), judges, procuratores e advocati and the crown. These are ultimately compiled and organized by his son and grandson into the “Ordenações Afonsinas”.

He also created laws on the rights and privileges of the various municipalities, towns and cities. He continued the work of his predecessors and continued the centralization of power. At this time Portugal also starting noticing the growing urbanization and growth of towns and cities.

Another major issue for D Fernando I was the heavy concentration of the nobles north of the Rio Tejo, in 1300 over 70% of all nobles lived north of the river while religious orders dominated the south. Under his leadership a large number of nobles were given larger territories in the south in exchange for their northern holding which are divided up between the crown and the remaining neighboring nobles. This coincided with the construction of new batch of castles along the coast, and border with both Castela and Emirate of Granada[6] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3262770#_ftn6).

Throughout his reign he is estimated to have traversed the country over ten times, both observing the good and also correcting unjust situations and resolving problems. After his marriage to Infanta Isabela of Aragão it was said that she accompanied by him many a times. Under her influence they also worked to improve the lives of the poor and founded several social institutions.

Marriage and Issue

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In 1280 a twenty year old king began to search for a suitable bride and sets his eyes on Isabel of Aragão, the oldest daughter of Pedro II of Aragão. Pedro II of Aragão had suitors from both Franca and England but chose D Fernando I instead because he liked the fact that his daughter would become queen. In 1282 she was betrothed and finally left Aragão in 1288 when she turned 18. She and D Fernando I had three children Infante Constança in 1290, Infante Afonso in 1291 and Infanta Maria in 1293. She was a very devout and always attended mass every day and helped the poor and disadvantaged. She had a gentle and good heart that she brought to the Castle, D Fernando I’s illegitimate children to be educated alongside hers. It was here that rivalry between Infante Afonso and his two older half brothers Pedro Afonso and Afonso Sancho began[7] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3262770#_ftn7).

In 1322 she interceded between her husband and son when the two were about to fight each other and stopped the battle, for this and her many works with the poor and destitute Queen Isabel was later canonized as a saint[8] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3262770#_ftn8).

Crown and Church

When D Fernando I came to power the Catholic Church and Portuguese government was locked into a huge power struggle. In 1276 he attempted to negotiate a mutually satisfying agreement with the new Pope John XXI from Lisboa. D Fernando offered to pay for a new wing at the Papal palace in Viterbo. D Fernando I personally undertook a trip to Rome to meet Pope John XXI who agreed to D Fernando’s offer and a new more balanced agreement between the church and the crown. In turn D Fernando I promised to look after the churches’ affairs in the country[9] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3262770#_ftn9).

In 1307 when France’s Filipe IV attacked the Templar Knights torturing and killing many of and convinced Pope Clemente V to disband them in 1312. In Portugal D Fernando I granted asylum to the knights in Portugal and others who fled to it from the rest of Europe and created the “Ordem de Christo” Order of Christ with all the assets and lands formerly belonging to the Templar Knights. In 1318 he got Pope Clemente V successor to recognize the new order along with all of the Templar Knights lands and assets in Portugal. Subsequently D Fernando I helped another religious order, the Order of Santiago situated in the kingdom of Portugal to complete sever all ties with its Castilian grand master. In 1318 García Fernández becomes the first independent Portuguese grand master for the Order of Santiago. Thus with the third Portuguese Religious military order the Knights of Aviz Portugal had three independent Religious military orders within its borders and only subject to the Portuguese crown[10] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3262770#_ftn10).

End of Reign and Death

In 1312 D Fernando I and Infante Afonso had a great falling out over Infante Afonso choice for wife, while visiting Pamplona he met Beatrice of Castela, the youngest daughter of Sancho IV of Castela. She had been living there in exile after her cousin Alfonso XIX of Castela had become king in 1302. Infante Fernando fell in love with her and took her as his wife against his father’s wishes. D Fernando I had been negotiating the marriage of Alfonso XIX of Castela’s daughter Leonor to Infante Alfonso as well as the betrothal of Infanta Maria to the Castilian heir Infante Fernando of Castela. So when Alfonso returned to Portugal and announced he had married the king had a fit[11] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3262770#_ftn11).

When Infante Alfonso refused to abandon and divorce Beatrice of Castela his father was so upset that he began making plans for the succession of his other son Afonso Sancho whom he had succeeded in legitimizing. He made arrangement for the marriage of Afonso Sancho to Leonor of Castela instead. Infante Alfonso responded to his father scheme by openly rebelling against him and raising an army. In 1318 after several years of the opposing forces clashing, the two main combatants Infante Alfonso and D Fernando I finally met on the battle field with their armies ready to fight each other.


http://img532.imageshack.us/img532/1672/rainhasantaemalvalade.jpg
When Queen Isabel heard that her son and husband were about to enter into combat against each other she rushed to Avalade where the forces were gathered and interjects herself in the middle of the troops and stopped the fighting. She then gathered her husband and son and got them to make peace. She persuaded D Fernando I to recognize Infante Afonso as heir and authorize the wedding so that the baby would be born legitimate. She then got her son to consent for his half brothers to receive recognition from his father. Afonso Sancho was made Duque of Seville, while Pedro Afonso was made the Conde de Barcelos. Both brothers swore fidelity to their brother and recognized him as heir[12] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3262770#_ftn12).

On March 21, 1329 D Fernando I, (Portugal’s 7th King “o lavrador”) died at the age of 68

Castela and the Castilian Succession War

In 1297 renewed border clashes between Portuguese and Castilian nobles brought the two neighbors to the brink of war. Several large battles in Asturias and along the Rio Pisuerga resulted in the two countries mobilizing their forces and also the start of the siding of Aragão with Castela in their dispute with Portugal. Only Navarre remained neutral in the escalation of tensions on the Peninsula.

In 1294 the Castilian heir Infante Fernando de la Cerda died during a border clash with Granada, this left the country in a lurch as his younger brother Sancho seized the government from his ailing father and over the objections of his father Fernando III of Castela installed himself as heir of the Castilian throne. Many Castilian nobles revolted against what they saw as the seizure of throne from the rightful heir Alfonso, son of Fernando de la Cerda. On October 10, 1295 Infante Sancho was able to get himself crowned Sancho IV of Castela and Toledo and the country was plunged into a civil war[13] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3262770#_ftn13).

Fighting between the forces led by Infante D. João uncle of Sancho IV of Castela on behalf of Infante Alfonso led to eventual execution of over 2,000 Infante Alfonso supporters in the city of Burgos in 1296. Following the execution of the followers and the imprisonment of D. João many Castilian nobles fled to Portugal where with the support of the Portuguese nobles launched attacks on Castela[14] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3262770#_ftn14).

In spring of 1297 D Fernando I arrived along the Castilian border with a Portuguese army of about 20,000 knights and infantry. Facing him in Castela is Sancho IV of Castela with 15,000 men and James II of Aragão with 10,000 men. D Fernando diffused the situation and Treaty of Valladolid was signed between the three countries on May 12 1297[15] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3262770#_ftn15).

The Treaty of Valladolid stipulated that any Castilian noble could remain in Portugal but they could not use Portugal as a basis for launching attacks against Castela. It also stipulated the right of the nobles to live in Portugal without further attacks by Castela. One additional note to the treaty required by both Castela and Aragão was the defining the present Portuguese-Castela border between the two countries. It also restricted Portuguese size and a border on the peninsula to the borders of Portugal at the time the treaty was signed.

In 1299 Castela once more was plunged into civil war, when Sancho IV of Castela was killed in renewed border clashes with the Emirate of Granada which had used the Castilian succession to rebut the annual tribute and ally itself with the Merínida Dynasty in Fez and Marrocos.

Two claimants for the throne of Castela emerged and both were crowned King of Castela. On one side stood Sancho IV of Castela’s ten year old son Fernando and on the other side was Ferdinand de la Cerda’s 30 year old son Alfonso. Each claimant gathered an army and supporters of the two fought each other for almost two years. D Fernando I of Portugal did not take any sides afraid that whatever side he supported would surely be viewed as being under the influence of the bigger and richer neighbor. Meanwhile James II of Aragão recognized Alfonso as the king and provided him and his supporters with money and ability to use Aragão as a base for their war. In June 10 1302 Infante D. João forces were able to capture Toledo and exile the regent and mother of Fernando to Navarre. On October 15, 1302 Infante Alfonso was crowned Alfonso IX of Castela and Toledo in Toledo and more importantly receiving recognition from both the Portuguese and Aragonese crowns[16] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3262770#_ftn16).

Aragão and its many Kings

Following James I of Aragão death in 1276 the Kingdom of Aragão was divided between his two oldest sons: Peter and James. Peter became the successor in Aragon, Catalonia, and Valencia while James was the successor in Balearics and Languedoc. Peter III of Aragão conquered the island of Sicily and Malta for Aragão but died in 1285 leaving the throne to his oldest son Alfonso III of Aragão and Sicily and Malta to his second son James. Alfonso III of Aragão freed from worries regarding the difficult holdings in Sicily concentrated on matters on the Peninsula Ibérica. His sought to re-incorporate his uncle James II of Majorca lands back into the Kingdom of Aragão. In 1293 the Balearic Islands were conquered and James II of Majorca once more vassal of Aragão and was forced to give up all land on the mainland. In 1294 Alfonso III of Aragão died without issue and his younger brother inherited the throne of Aragão. In 1294 James II of Aragão became the kingdom’s new king while his younger brother Frederick became king of Sicily in 1295. James II of Aragão was the brother of Queen Isabel of Portugal.


[1] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3262770#_ftnref1)In iOTL this king never existed but here he taking the place of his father and accomplishing many of his feats.

[2] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3262770#_ftnref2)In iOTL D Dinis never had regent since he came to power when he was 18

[3] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3262770#_ftnref3)iOTL while he was credited with building road and developing the country there were no real Kings road, here D Fernando got the idea from the remnants of the Roman roads he encountered while touring the country.

[4] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3262770#_ftnref4)In iOTL the style was Portuguese-Galizan and it has documented at 168 songs

[5] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3262770#_ftnref5)Here the Portuguese language is more of a mixmatch of Leonese, Galizan and Portuguese so it will be different from iOTL Portuguese.

[6] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3262770#_ftnref6)In iOTL there was no huge amount of lands to give so the divide continued with the south being dominated by Church lands and north by nobles.

[7] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3262770#_ftnref7)In iOTL the king and queen only had two kids one boy and one girl, and yes she did bring her husband iligitimate kids to be educated.

[8] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3262770#_ftnref8)She is known by all Portuguese as Saint Queen, she is credited in transforming money and food into roses when confronted by her husband.

[9] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3262770#_ftnref9)In IOTL Pope John XXI only lived 8 months as apposed to six years here, the wing he built fell on him and he died of his injuries. The arrangement between Dinis I and the church was very beneficial to the church here it is more neutral. But an agreement is agreed and the excuminication of both Dinis I and Afonso III is lifted much to the happiness of the families and country.

[10] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3262770#_ftnref10)This happened in iOTL

[11] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3262770#_ftnref11)While in iOTL the reason for the revolt against his father was the favouritism toward his half brother.

[12] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3262770#_ftnref12)Yes she was credited with stopping the war and bringing peace to the nation.

[13] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3262770#_ftnref13)iOTL Infante Sancho did take the throne from his nephews

[14] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3262770#_ftnref14)In iOTL because Portugal was so much smaller they did not flee to Portugal and the slaughter was almost three times that amount.

[15] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3262770#_ftnref15) In iOTL D Dinis I did involve himself in Castile problems but withdrew and signed the Tratado de Alcanises in 1297 formalizing Portugal and Castela`s borders.

[16] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3262770#_ftnref16)In iOTL the queen regent was able to fend off the rivals and put her son on the throne here the enemies are much stronger and she loses and ends up deposed instead.

[Lusitania]

Reign of D. Afonso IV (1329 – 1359)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fd/AfonsoIV-P.jpg
On March 25 1329 D Afonso IV was proclaimed as King of Portugal, Leão, Galiza, Algarve and Andalusia at the age of 37.

The reign of Afonso IV could be classified as a reign of crises management, because so much of his reign the country was beset by one problem after another. For in complete contrast to his father’s reign where the kingdom made huge strides and progresses during D Afonso IV reign the country stagnated. It was beset by political intrigue, natural disasters, plague and threatened for the first time in over one hundred years with invasion by the Muslims.

When D Afonso IV came to power he still felt uneasy and angry with his half brothers Afonso Sancho, the Duque of Seville, and Pedro Afonso the Conde de Barcelos. So he proceeded to strip them of their titles, lands and privileges, but before he could enact on his intentions he was visited by his mother who had retired to a convent in Coimbra. She once more made him change his mind and in a great act of love and reconciliation brought her son’s half brothers to court so that peace between them all could be re-established[1] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3267818#_ftn1).

Following the resolution of political struggle with his half brothers D Afonso IV strived to continue the development of the country and the economic policies started by his father. His single largest decision was the development of the Portuguese Navy. The number of ships was greatly expanded and also several additional docks were created and expanded throughout the country. Coinciding with the development of the Portuguese Navy was also the development of the Portuguese commercial fleet to transport the Portuguese products and goods to other European ports. The availability and size of both the navy and commercial fleet would prove instrumental in the country’s future and direction.

Conflict with Castela

In 1335 Infanta Maria of Portugal the consort of King Fernando IV of Castela was locked in a dungeon by her husband after years of public mistreatment. D Afonso, her brother was incensed by the action and sent several protests to Castela. When Fernando IV of Castela ignored them and rebuffed Portuguese ambassador, D Afonso felt obligated to defend his country and family’s honour. In 1338 he gathered an army and marched into Castela. On route to Castela he was joined by his brother the Duque of Seville who wishing to show he fealty had gathered his knights and soldiers and marched to join the king. The surprised Fernando IV of Castela requested assistance from Alfonso IV of Aragon against Portugal but Alfonso IV of Aragon feeling offended by Fernando IV of Castela actions against his wife refused[2] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3267818#_ftn2).

The Portuguese and Castilian forces met on the battlefield south of the city of Toledo. D Afonso IV makes a speech calling for his brother-in-law to mend his ways and reconcile with his wife. Fernando IV of Castela infuriated that he is being lectured refuses and the two armies prepare for battle. The battle of Toledo pits Castela’s army of about 25,000 knights and soldiers against a Portuguese army almost twice that size. The Portuguese defeated Fernando IV of Castela forcing him to flee from the battle seeking sanctuary behind the walls of Toledo.

For the next two months Afonso IV besieged the city and capturing it on June 1, 1338 but before the Portuguese could storm the keep where Fernando IV of Castela was held up along with the remainder of his men Infanta Maria of Portugal the consort of Fernando IV of Castela arrived and begged her brother to withdraw from Castela[3] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3267818#_ftn3).

The following year a new Treaty was signed between the two countries establishing peace once again on the continent.

Marriage and Issue

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/2320/7beatrizdecastela.jpg
The marriage of Afonso IV to Beatrice of Castela was one of Portugal’s greatest love stories, for the first time an Infante had taken a wife out of love as apposed to political maneuver. She was the cousin of King Fernando IV and daughter of when Sancho IV of Castela. From this marriage six children were born but only three survived infancy. Infanta Maria was born in 1313, Infante Pedro was born in 1320 and Infanta Leonor was born in 1328. Unlike his predecessors D Afonso IV was never had any illegitimate children and it is said never had any mistresses[4] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3267818#_ftn4).

In the year that D Afonso IV became king he arranged his first alliance; with Aragão. He arranged for the marriage of his oldest daughter, Infanta Maria to Alfonso IV of Aragão following the death of his first wife Teresa de Entenza, Countess of Urgell. In 1338 he married his other daughter Infanta Leonor to Pedro IV of Aragão, son of Alfonso IV of Aragão and his first wife[5] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3267818#_ftn5).

As for his son Pedro he was married to Constança Manuela of Leão, she was daughter of Afonso the Duque of Leão and one of the most powerful men in the country. Direct descendent of D Afonso Henriques. The wedding took place in the city of Leão on July 1 1340 and when Constança of Leão came to the court in Lisboa to live with Infante Pedro she brought along several ladies from Leão and Galiza including Ines de Castro daughter of powerful Galizan noble Pedro Fernandes Castro.

The Galizan Conspiracy[6] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3267818#_ftn6)

Soon after Constança Manuela of Leão arrived with her entourage Infante Pedro would follow his dad’s steps and fall in love with someone. Unlike his dad he was already married and the affair would come to have great political implications for the country. Infante Pedro started having an affair with his wife’s lady in waiting Ines de Castro. While the affair caused several issues the major one happened with the influence many of the Galizan nobles seemed to have on the Infante. Her two brother’s Álvaro Pires de Castro e Fernando de Castro were given elevated positions in court and seemed to exert a great deal of influence on the Infante Pedro.

To the king this caused the greatest problem for the Portuguese court was a very delicate situation with an equal number of Portuguese, Galizan and Leonese officials and councillors. With the situation regarding the influence of the Galizan nobles had with Infante Pedro it caused major problems in the king’s court.

Matters come to a head when in 1346 when Infante Pedro left his wife and moved in with Ines de Castro and together they moved to Coimbra and stayed at the Royal House of Coimbra. There Ines de Castro has three children Beatriz in 1347, João in 1349 and Dinis in 1352.

In 1350 Constança Manuela died (some historians say of a broken heart) leaving into question what is to become of her young children; Infanta Maria born in 1342 and Infante Fernando born in 1345.

Attempts by D Afonso IV to remarry his son, Infante Pedro are completely put into disarray when he announces that he will not marry anyone else other than Ines de Castro. Banned from court Infante Pedro lived with his family in Coimbra then in Lugo and finally in Aveiro. During this time the situation in the kingdom continued tense with Infante Pedro and his father not communicating.

In 1355 the situation came to a head when six masked men attacked the house in an attempt on Ines de Castro’s life while Infante Pedro was away on a hunting trip. The attack coincided with several other attacks on several Galizan nobles including both of Ines de Castro’s brothers. Both Álvaro Pires de Castro e Fernando de Castro are killed but in regards to Ines de Castro she survives her attack when the assassins are surprised by several guards. A fight breaks out and two of the five guards are killed and three of the assassins are also hurt. As for Ines de Castro she is attacked and stabbed but survives. When Infante Pedro returns he is distraught over the incident but refuses to leave Ines de Castro side while she recovers[7] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3267818#_ftn7).

In 1356 in complete disregard and contempt for his father, whom he believed was responsible for the attempt on Ines, but lacked the proof, married Ines de Castro and waited for his father to die. Only after his father is dead did he ever go to Lisboa and visit the court again. He also recognizes his three children and sets in motion future dynastic events.

The Emirate of Granada and the Merínida Dynasty[8] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3267818#_ftn8)

The Merínida Dynasty in North Africa had come to replace the Almóada Dynasty in Marrocos and by the 1300 was in complete control of Marrocos but locked in several internal disputes and clashes with the Abdalwadid Dynasty of Algeria. In 1310 Abu Sa'id Uthman II came to power and set about to strengthen the country and stop the constant internal conflicts. He was faced with pressures from external sources also including Castela attacking the last Merínida outposts of the Iberian Peninsula Algeciras and Gibraltar. In the east the Abdalwadid Dynasty threaten the country from Tlemcen. In 1320 Abu Sa'id Uthman II attacked his rebellious son and designate heir Abu Ali who had seized the southern part of the country. At the battle of Oum er-Rebia Abu Ali is defeated and captured but allowed to live. Abu Sa'id Uthman II then chooses his other son Abu al Hassan as heir.

In 1331 Abu al Hassan succeeded his father and continued battling the kingdom’s enemies. In 1333 Fernando IV of Castela succeeds in taking Gibraltar and in 1336 start besieging Algeciras. Meanwhile in the east Abu al Hassan defeated and captured the sultan of the Abdalwadid Dynasty in the battle of Tlemcen. Tlemcen is annexed in exchange for the sultan’s freedom. With the Abdalwadid Dynasty in check Abu al Hassan decided to deal with the Christians in the Peninsula Ibérica.

He begins building a large fleet of ships under the command of Muhammad ibn Ali al Azafi. In 1336 when Fernando IV of Castela besieged Algeciras Abu al Hassan was able to reinforce the town and Fernando IV of Castela was forced by disease to lift the siege after eight months. Abu al Hassan then proceeded to reinforce his position and besieged and re-captured Gibraltar. Abu al Hassan then made an alliance with Muhammad IV of Granada. The first objective was to defeat Castela then follow that up with an attack on Portugal. Abu al Hassan ultimate goal is nothing short of reversing the Muslim loses in peninsula.

In September 10, 1339 a Joint Castilian and Aragonese fleet of 52 galleys under the command of Admiral Alonso Jofre Tenório attacked the Merínida Fleet at Ceuta. The Merínida fleet of 102 galleys defeated the Castilian and Aragonese fleet. Admiral Alonso Jofre Tenório was killed and only six Aragonese galleys survived and escaped. The galleys sailed north and arrived in Ibiza on September 15.

Abu al Hassan then proceeded to move a large army from North Africa and with the Granada army attacked the Castilians at Cordoba on November 30. The city held out till Christmas when the walls were breached the Christian inhabitants slaughtered or enslaved.

With the fall of Cordoba all of Castela’s possessions south of the Rio Guadiana were in jeopardy. During the winter Abu al Hassan brought over 40,000 soldiers and supplies along with most of his elite troops and court from North Africa to the Peninsula Ibérica. On March 10 the Castilians and Aragonese army were defeated at the Battle of Elena. Pushing the two monarchs back and placing all of Murcia in jeopardy.

The defeat at Elena finally convinced Fernando IV of Castela to personally request help from his brother-in-law. After the loss of Cordoba Fernando IV of Castela had asked his estranged wife, Maria of Portugal to request help from her brother but D Afonso IV had refused. He stipulated that if Castela needed his assistance then Fernando IV of Castela would need to request assistance himself.

Battle of Rio Guadalquivir[9] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3267818#_ftn9)

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/9946/battleofrioguadalquivir.jpg
On March 15, 1340 D Afonso IV arrived in Badajoz with an army of 42,000 knights, archers and infantry. The position and strength of the Muslim had become a direct threat to the Portuguese and D Afonso IV along with every noble house of Portugal made preparation to attack the Merínida threat. He no longer cared or was interested in Fernando IV of Castela’s request or plight, his concern was the survival of Portugal.

In Lisboa D Pedro directed the second Portuguese attack; a fleet of over 100 Portuguese Navy, Commercial Fleet and rented Genoa galleys under the command of Genoan Admiral Manuel Pessanha. They were to sail south and attack the Merínida fleet in the straight. On March 20 they sailed south while D Pedro raced south to Elvas where he met up with the knights of the Order of Aviz, Order of Santiago and Order of Christ. On March 30 the now 10,000 knights and apprentices marched south one week behind the main Portuguese Army.

On April 4 D Afonso IV along with every noble, and bishop marched south towards the huge Muslim army moving along the Rio Guadalquivir on their way to attack Portuguese city of Seville. On April 7 after crossing the river the Portuguese army of over 50,000 attacked the Muslim army which was closer to 70,000 six miles from the Portuguese-Castela border. This time there was no crusade, or joint Christian army like the battle of Las Navas de Tolosa, here it was just the Portuguese against the Merínida Muslims. D Afonso IV attempted to wait for his son and the order knights but time finally ran out and the Muslims attacked.

The Battle of Rio Guadalquivir pitted almost equal armies against each other; the battle lasted for over two hours with neither side initially gaining the upper hand but after two hours the Portuguese side right flank started giving way and D Afonso IV sent the last of his reserves hopping to push back the Muslim advance. On the Muslim camp Abu al Hassan committed all his forces in an attempt to defeat the Portuguese. The size of the Portuguese army had surprised him at first and he had no reason to believe that there was a second force still coming. Finally as his forces pushed the Portuguese back against the river his left flank disintegrated under a massive attack from a new army.

D Pedro flanked by Grand Master of Aviz, Martim de Avelar, Grand Master of Santiago Alonso Melendez de Guzmand, and Juan Nunez de Prado the Grand Master of Order of Christ and about two thirds knights pounded into the Muslim left flank while the remainder of the knights attacked the Muslim center. In one brief second the Muslim army had gone from victors to defeat. Thousands of Muslim soldiers died in the first impact. The remaining Muslim army tried to escape but for many it was too late and less than 15,000 were able to escape south the remainder either died in the battle or were capture.

The Sultan of Granada Yosuf I was amongst the dead alongside Abu Inan, Abu al Hassan’s son and many of the top Merínida leaders and their family members. Abu al Hassan escaped but his three wives were killed and the entire Merínida court and treasury was captured.

When Abu al Hassan arrived at Algeciras he received his second shock as he is forced to watch the destruction of his only means of escape; the Merínida fleet being destroyed by the Portuguese. On April 8 at dawn the Portuguese fleet had sailed under a westerly wind into the straight catching the Merínida fleet by surprise, by the time the Merínida fleet and admiral Muhammad ibn Ali al Azafi could react about a third of the galleys were either captured or lost. For the next four hours the Merínida galleys were either run aground or lost. The Portuguese fleet then blockaded both Algeciras and Gibraltar while the land escape was sealed off by the arrival of the first elements of the Portuguese army. The loss of the fleet and the army proved too much for Abu al Hassan and he requested terms from D Afonso IV and Portugal.

Battle of Rio Guadalquivir Consequences[10] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3267818#_ftn10)

The Treaty of Algeciras was a huge morale and psychological victory for the Christians and defeat for the Muslim world. Special services were held throughout the Christian world to commemorate the victory. The amount of gold, treasure and supplies, horses and captives was immense.

The ransom of Abu al Hassan and the majority of his court gave Portugal its first territory outside the Peninsula Ibérica. Merínida Dynasty also gave up its last territory on the peninsula to Portugal. Both Algeciras and Gibraltar became Portuguese while across the straight Tânger, Ceuta and Tetuan became Portuguese. The shock of the military defeat was too much for the Merínida Dynasty and Abu al Hassan was deposed and killed less than a week after arriving back in Fez. To the east the Abdalwadid Dynasty attacked and conquered Tlemcen back while Marrocos descended into anarchy and suffered a period known as “reign of the viziers” as local leaders viewed with each other for power and territory.

In the Emirate of Granada Yosuf I’s cousin, Mohammed V came to power but without any help from Muslim North Africa and loss of the Granada Army he was at the mercy of the Christian kingdoms. Granada’s survival came not as a result of armed struggle but the arrival of the plague in the continent. Even so, it did was forced to give up huge amounts of territory to Castela. It lost all land north of the Rio Almanzora along its border with Murcia and most of the lands belonging to the Coroa de Takurunna as part of a peace agreement with the three Christian kingdoms in spring of 1340.

On April 20 D Afonso IV and his army liberated Cordoba for the Castilians. The city garrison hearing of the defeat of Merínida and Granada armies surrendered the city without a fight in return for guarantee of safe passage to North Africa. On June 15 1340 D Afonso IV met with Fernando IV of Castela and Alfonso IV of Aragão in Cordoba where he presented each monarch with 10% of the Merínida treasure and fortune captured. He also returns all lands seized by the Muslims back to Castela less Algeciras and Gibraltar and the Atlantic Coast.

In addition to the 20% given to the countries of Castela and Aragão D Afonso IV also sent 20% to Pope Benedito XII in Rome. The amount received by both Castela and Aragão was huge and provided each monarch with enough money to pay for all losses in the previous year and also was the equivalent to two years revenue in each country. More importantly both countries come to the realization they were minor players in the peninsula.

Without any other recourse, Castela, Aragão and Portugal sign the Treaty of Cordoba establishing the three countries borders and re-iterating the Emirate of Granada under the sphere of Castela.

In Portugal the victory proves a huge boost to the country’s finances as extensive building projects were started all over the country. The Portuguese Catholic Church and Military Orders were given 20% and 10% respectively and they too began a series of building projects including cathedrals, churches and monasteries. In thanks for the victory over the Muslims a huge Monastery was dedicated to Ordem de São Jeronimo for the site of the victory over the Muslim armies.

Disaster & Plague

In 1346 and 1347 Portuguese agriculture suffered a huge blow as the cereal harvest failed and famine gripped the country. D Afonso IV brought large amounts of cereals from other parts of Europe to Portugal to alleviate the famine. In 1348 Coimbra and Leiria were hit by an Earthquake which killed over 10,000 people and left 50,000 homeless and destroyed large number of buildings. But lastly it was the arrival of the “Black Plague” at the end of 1348 which caused the most damage to the country. Portugal like the rest of Europe and even North Africa was greatly affected by the plague and the huge loss of life. The cities and towns became ghost towns as the court and all the nobles and their people abandoned the urban areas for their estates in the country[11] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3267818#_ftn11).

In all, almost 20% of the population died from the plague and the country’s economy came to a standstill. This was no different than the rest of the other countries in Europe. D Afonso IV reacted with firmness and compassion as the country reacted to these events and authorized the help to thousands of poor and destitute people affected by these tragedies, which in turn prevented an even greater humanitarian tragedy than befell the country.

Death

On May 29, 1359 D Afonso IV, (Portugal’s 8th King “o bravo”) died at the age of 68


Castela “Age of Contrasts”

In 1333 Alfonso IX of Castela “the restored one” died and was succeeded by his oldest son Fernando who became Fernando IV of Castela and Toledo. His public mistreatment of his wife Infanta Maria of Portugal, the sister of Alfonso IV became a diplomatic strain for Castela resulting in the invasion of Castela by Portugal. Fernando IV of Castela came to resent his wife even because it was the action of his wife which saved him and Castela from defeat and not Castilian strength.

Following the Battle of Toledo, Fernando IV of Castela became estranged from his wife and sent her away while he lived openly with his mistress Eleanor of Guzman. In 1339 Castela suffered its worst defeat at the hands of the Muslim in over 100 years. It lost Cordoba and most of the Castilian army was lost at the Battle of Elena[12] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3267818#_ftn12).

Once more Fernando IV of Castela was forced to swallow his pride and request help from his brother-in-law. He once more attempted to use his wife as an intermediary but D Afonso IV refused and demanded Fernando IV of Castela personally request assistance. Just as Fernando IV of Castela put his pride aside and personally wrote Afonso IV for help Portugal singlehandedly defeat and destroyed the Merínida Dynasty.

The wealth, prestige and territory received by Afonso IV and Portugal was too much for Fernando IV of Castela to stomach but unfortunately for both him and Castela they were in no shape to challenge Portugal. Then to add to the humiliation of Castela, Portugal captured Cordoba without a fight after so many Castilian soldiers and citizens had lost their lives defending it. The worse insult was the Portuguese agreement to let the murderers of Cordoba escape.

When Afonso IV invited Fernando IV of Castela and his counterpart of Aragão to Cordoba for a peace and celebration Fernando so much wanted to refuse but to so would be to abandon all of Andalusia and that was something he could not do. The terms of peace treaty with the other monarchs including the new Emir of Granada was nothing less than belittling to Castela in Fernando IV of Castela’s opinion.

The gift of 10% along with the return of Cordoba and almost half of Granada was of little comfort when his father-in-law basked in glory and prestige and Portugal not only took lands rightfully belonging to Castela on the peninsula but also achieved the ultimate “reconquista” goal of taking the fight to Muslims in North Africa. When Fernando IV of Castela returned to Toledo on August 22, 1340 he planned on avenging the injustices against Castela.

Over the next four years Fernando IV of Castela used the money received from Portugal to build up its army and also the construction of over a dozen galleys. In 1345 he sent Mohammed V of Granada an outrageous demand for tribute knowing that it could not pay. When Mohammed V did not acknowledge the demand, Fernando IV of Castela invaded Granada and besieged Antequera.

It was there that on October 15 1345, after four months of besieging Antequera that Fernando IV of Castela died as a result of an accident. The death of Fernando IV of Castela left the country in a state of instability as his oldest son Infante Pedro was only 11 years old and was crowned on October 25 as Pedro I of Castelo, Toledo and Murcia. In the Castilian court a battle was brewing over who would become his regent. A three way battle erupted between Pedro Núñez de Guzmán, Pedro I mother, Maria of Portugal, and Juan Manuel, Duke of Peñafiel. While initially Pedro I of Castela mother Maria succeeded as regent she used the position to extract revenge on Pedro Núñez de Guzmán and his daughter the late king’s mistress. Pedro Núñez de Guzmán and his daughter were killed along with most of her children. Only the 13 year old Henrique and his three year old brother Sancho were spirited away by supporters and went to live in France[13] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3267818#_ftn13).

On June 10, 1348 Maria of Portugal lost the regency to the Duke of Peñafiel took the regency from her and she returned to Portugal where she died the same year as her brother. In his first act as regent he arranged the marriage of Pedro I of Castela to Joan daughter of Edward III of England.

Like his father, Pedro I of Castela publicly mistreated his wife and in 1352 imprisoned her where she contracted the plague and died.

Aragão “Age of Expansion”

In 1327 James II of Aragão died and was succeeded by Alfonso IV of Aragão. He continued his predecessors’ strategy of expanding Aragão’s holding outside of the peninsula by conquering Sardinia in 1323. In 1329 he married Infanta Maria of Portugal following the death of his first wife Teresa de Entenza, Countess of Urgell. In 1336 James II of Aragão died and was succeeded by his oldest son Pedro. Pedro IV of Aragão came to power at the age of 16 and two years later married Infanta Leonor of Portugal.

During his reign he strived to strengthen his reign and Aragão. He allied himself with Fernando IV of Castela against the Merínida Dynasty and sent part of his fleet under the command of Castilian Admiral Alonso Jofre Tenório to attack the Merínida Fleet at Ceuta in 1339. Only six Aragonese galleys survived the engagement off the coast of North Africa, when these six galleys reached Ibiza James II of Majorca, who had allied himself with Abu al Hassan of the Merínida Dynasty, seized the ships and arrested the crew.

With the growing threat by the Merínida and Granada Pedro IV of Aragão was unable to do anything regarding the hostile action of James II of Majorca. Aragão along with Castela suffered a great loss at the Battle of Elena putting the entire southern part of Aragão in jeopardy of Muslim invasion.

Pedro IV of Aragão desperately raced to replenish his army and ready for the expected Muslim attack when he received news of the great Portuguese victory at the Battle of Rio Guadalquivir and the destruction of the Merínida threat. He was less impressed with the lack of territorial gains but extremely happy regarding the huge treasure he received.

In 1342 he declared James II of Majorca as Contumacious vassal and with the assistance of his father-in-law Alfonso IV’s naval ships launched an attack on the Balearic Islands and deposed James II.

In 1350 Pedro IV of Aragão began a series of reforms aimed at making the kingdom easier to rule, including centralizing much of the kingdom’s power and reforming the administration.


http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/2708/iberia1359.jpg


[1] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3267818#_ftnref1)In iOTL he did strip them of their titles and they fled to Castela it was after that his mother did bring peace to the country again.

[2] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3267818#_ftnref2)In iOTL he invaded Castela due to the mistreatment of the Infanta Maria his daughter and the Queen of Castela.

[3] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3267818#_ftnref3)In iOTL Portugal did invade Castela and made war within the country and just like here it was his daughter who requested he make peace. Here with Portugal being much bigger it would have the capabilities to inflict greater damage.

[4] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3267818#_ftnref4)In iOTL Sancho IV of Castela stayed in Power so his daughter is married to D Afonso IV but here since he lost the power struggle, she is the cousin of the king. Also since he and his dad did not see eye to eye I wanted to make their relationship more difficult. Forerunner of the next king, and in iOTL he did have one illegitimate child.

[5] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3267818#_ftnref5)In iOTL his first is married to Castela’s King here since the king is much older she is married to King of Aragão instead of Leonor of Castela.

[6] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3267818#_ftnref6)Here is the biggest divergence from iOTL, there is no Castela group like in iOTL but since huge parts of iOTL Castela are part of Portugal, including Galiza which was the home of Ines de Castro, and in a country like Portugal which is comprised of three major groups: Galizans, Leonese and Portuguese which would require any king to make sure no one group had too much power it would be conceivable to imagine this political intrigue.

[7] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3267818#_ftnref7)Again major change from iOTL, does she live or die well it depends what you want the next king to do during his reign. Since I had plans for him that again differs from OTL I decided for her to live and become the “live” queen.

[8] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3267818#_ftnref8)Since Portugal is the largest and most powerful country in the Peninsula it would be the reasonable target and with its resources be able to accomplish what Castela and Portugal did in iOTL. Here the defeat is harsher and complete, the Merínida is destroyed 20 years earlier and by Portugal instead of due to internal fighting which coincidently was due to the losses in the Peninsula Ibérica.

[9] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3267818#_ftnref9)Takes the place of the Battle of Rio Salado

[10] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3267818#_ftnref10)Here since Portugal was the victor the glory goes strictly to it, it gets the territory and still gives more land to Castela then it received due to its victory.

[11] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3267818#_ftnref11)Actual numbers of death from the earth quake are not really known these would be some estimates.

[12] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3267818#_ftnref12)While in iOTL he did not suffer such a huge defeat the larger country of Castela was so worried that he put all animosity and pride away and personally wrote to D Afonso IV requesting help against the muslims.

[13] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3267818#_ftnref13)When Ferdinand IV of Castela did die he did leave a minor as heir and his wife did become for a while the regent and she did have the mistress killed here it was a little more extreme but she still left some around who will be wanting to extract revenge on the king for the death and destruction on their family.

[Archangel]

Nice to see Ines de Castro living ITTL.:cool:
Castela will probably expand south and absorb Granada, when the time of the Discoveries arrive, if it's still independent by then.

[Lusitania]

Morning all, finally got around to posting the next chapter and as time goes on they get larger, so to provide a better timing and posting I am breaking up the reign of Pedro I into three seperate posts, here is #1.

Reign of D. Pedro I (1359 – 1381[1] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3283969#_ftn1)) (1 of 3)

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/3154/pedroi.jpg
On May 27 1359 D Pedro I was proclaimed as King of Portugal, Leão, Galiza, Algarve, Andalusia and Tânger at the age of 38.

D Pedro I reign could be classified into two separate periods; the first period which lasted till 1371 would be classified as the administration period then following the death of his wife and Queen Ines Castro till his death in 1381 the war period.

While Queen Ines de Castro lived D Pedro I refused to leave her side and they stayed together at all times, during this time D Pedro concentrated on managing the country and providing justice to the people. To prevent the circulation of fake papal bulls and their destabilizing affect on the country he enacted the Beneplácito Régio in 1361which forbid the circulation of papal bulls without the king’s permission.

In 1365 he created “Companhia de Naus” with the objective of promoting the construction of both commercial and navy ships. It obligated all ships to be registered and pay taxes on the value of the goods transported. These funds were used to compensate for the loss of ships and also to finance the construction of additional ships.

In 1367 D Pedro I singed into law the “lei de Sesmarias” to limit the movement of people from the rural areas to the urban areas. It also expropriates the lands of landowners if they did not work their lands. Its impact and benefit would at first be heralded as great success for the agricultural output of Portugal by the end of D Pedro reign had almost doubled but most future scholars agreed that the real reason agriculture was able to recover was the large import of Muslims from North Africa to the Peninsula Ibérica. In 1375 regent Infante Fernando extended the “lei de Sesmarias” to cover all of Portuguese North Africa. Muslims were not allowed to live in North Africa and had to move to the Peninsula Ibérica. The distribution of the Muslims was dictated by the number of men of arms each lord provided thus those supplying large numbers of knights and soldiers received the biggest share of the “immigrants” and thus had the highest increase in agricultural output and income[2] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3283969#_ftn2).

In 1369 a dispute arose regarding the loyalty of one of Portugal’s three Military Orders; Order of Avis. There was a dispute over whom the order’s Portuguese Grand Master reported to. With the Order’s Grand master in Castela demanding that the Portuguese chapter obey his orders. To bring it in line with the other two orders: Santiago and Christ who reported to the Portuguese crown he installed his youngest son Dinis in Charge of the Order of Avis. Thus ending for all time all foreign control and influence in the country’s religious military orders[3] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3283969#_ftn3).

Marriage and Issue

D Pedro first marriage was to Constança Manuela of Leão. From this marriage two children were born; Infanta Maria born in 1342 and Infante Fernando born in 1345. But the marriage was not a happy one and soon after his wife arrival from Leão D Pedro fell in love with one of his wife’s ladies; Ines de Castro. Their romance continued concealed till 1346 when D Pedro left his wife and went to live openly with Ines de Castro.

From this union three children were born; Beatriz in 1347, João in 1349 and Dinis in 1352. In the meantime his wife devastated at her husband and friend’s betrayal died in 1350.

The affair and his public union with this women along with D Pedro apparent preference to several nobles from Galiza caused much trouble in his dad’s court so much so that in 1355 an attempt was made on Ines de Castro’s life and the rest of her family. Luckily for her several courtiers of her husband upon hearing rumours regarding plot to kill the De Castro family had travelled to warn D Pedro. They happened upon the assassins before they could kill her but in the struggle she was hurt in the attack but survived and the attackers fled.

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/641/attemptoninesdecastro.jpg
Suspicion fell on the king and his advisors but nothing was ever proven and the assassins were never found. (Some say they were killed for failing in their mission, other say they fled Europe and took up arms in the Far East). Either way D Pedro never spoke to his father again and only returned to court after his dad had died[4] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3283969#_ftn4).

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/7605/8inecastro.jpg
In 1356 in complete disregard and contempt for his father, whom he believed was responsible for the attempt on Ines, but lacked the proof, he married Ines de Castro.

When he became king he publicly acknowledged not only his marriage to Ines de Castro but also his three children from his union with her. After he became king he was reunited with his two older children Infanta Maria and Infante Fernando whom he recognized as his heir[5] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3283969#_ftn5).

In 1362 he arranged the marriage of Infante Fernando to Maria of England, daughter of Edward III of England, and then in 1370 he arranged the marriage of Infante João to Infanta Isabela of Castela, daughter of Pedro I of Castela. In 1375 he arranged the marriage of his youngest son Dinis to Maria of Silves, daughter of Duque de Silves.

On October 10, 1371 Queen Ines de Castro died and left a very distraught D Pedro I behind.

War in Marrocos[6] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3283969#_ftn6)

Following the death of his much beloved wife Ines de Castro, D Pedro I decided to leave Portuguese court in the hands of his oldest son, Infante Fernando who was proclaimed regent, and D Pedro I left to fight against the Muslims in North Africa. Since the capture of Tânger, Ceuta and Tétouan by his father in 1340 neither his father nor he had moved against the Muslim to the south. Plans had been made for an invasion of Marrocos but those plans had been shelved due to the “black Death” plague and the subsequent political turmoil in the country.

Now 30 years later circumstances once more allowed for the continuation of the war against the Muslims. Fortunately for D Pedro I the Muslims of North Africa have not benefitted from Portuguese inability to follow through in their victory at battle of Battle of Rio Guadalquivir. The Merínida Dynasty had collapsed with the death of Abu al Hassan without any heirs. A multitude of small kingdoms all vying to fill the gap fought amongst themselves for supremacy, which became known as the time of the vicars.

In 1372 till 1373 each lord was ordered to equip and supply a certain number of knights, infantry and archers and pay for their transport to Portuguese North Africa. The three Military orders were just told to pack up and move south. In 1374 a Portuguese army of over 45,000 soldiers and descends on the Muslims.

From 1374 to 1379 when politics in Peninsula Ibérica forced him to leave North Africa, D Pedro led the Portuguese in capturing all of North African coast from Ceuta to Nador. South of the Rif Mountains D Pedro captured most of the Lower Rio Sebou Valley leaving only the city of Fez as the only holdout to Portuguese control in the Rio Sebou Valley.

The huge Portuguese offensives finally forced the Muslims to attempt to unite under a single ruler. In the south Abu Zayd Abd ar-Rahman became the king of the Kingdom of Marráquexe. He united the southern Muslims for the first time in over 40 years under him and battled the Portuguese limiting their gains south of the Rio Sebou Valley to just a few coastal towns which the Portuguese began the process of fortifying. The fortified towns of Larache, Sale, Raba, Fedala, Azamor and Mazagão along the Atlantic coast were the limits of Portuguese conquest under D. Pedro I south of the Rio Sebou.

To combat the Portuguese, Abu Zayd Abd ar-Rahman formed an alliance with Abu Hammu II of the Abdalwadid Dynasty. As part of the alliance the Kingdom of Marráquexe recognized the Abdalwadid Dynasty claim to the city of Oujda and all land up to the Rio Moulouia which defined the maximum eastern extent of Portuguese North Africa. In 1379 Oujda was captured by Abu Zayd Abd ar-Rahman.

The rulers of the Fez refused to recognize Abu Zayd Abd ar-Rahman rule and the occupation of Oujda by the Abdalwadid. In 1378 Abu al-Abbas finally gained control of Fez and the surrounding lands and formed the Kingdom of Fes. The Kingdom of Fes was at war with all its neigbours and landlocked by Portuguese in the west and north, the kingdom of Marráquexe to the south and southeast and the Abdalwadid Dynasty to the northeast. Faced with the prospect of invasion from three sides Abu al-Abbas decided to ally himself with D Pedro and the Portuguese. In reality he became a vassal of Portugal and over the next two decades fought against both kingdom of Marráquexe and Abdalwadid Dynasty till their demise and his usefulness to Portugal disappeared.

To the east the Portuguese were challenged by the Abdalwadid Dynasty under the leadership of Abu Hammu II who in 1380 taking advantage of the Portuguese king’s return to Peninsula Ibérica besieged Nador. For six months they besieged the Portuguese fortress till disease and reinforcements from Tânger forced them to abandon the siege and return to their capital Tlemcen where he was overthrown and succeeded by Abu Tashufin Abd al-Rahman II.

In 1380, a 20 year old Nuno Álvares Pereira married the Duque of Oviedo only daughter, Leonor de Oviedo and following his father-in-law’s death two months later became the Duque de Oviedo. A year later he was made supreme commander of all Portuguese forces in North Africa “Condestável do Reino”. While he was only 21 he had distinguished himself in battle against the Muslims since he was 13 and had led the Portuguese forces in the decisive battle of Mazagão and Azamor which extended Portuguese control of the Marrocan Atlantic coast to the Rio Morbeia. He had also personally led the Portuguese forces against Abu Zayd Abd ar-Rahman who was attacking Rabat, his attack broke the Marráquexe siege of Rabat and in turn rescued his future father-in-law[7] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3283969#_ftn7).

[1] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3283969#_ftnref1) In iOTL D. Pedro only reigned for ten years, some would lament the best ten years the country had seen.

[2] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3283969#_ftnref2) In iOTL these two acts were actually implemented by his son during his reign. The arrival of Muslims to work the land was something that did not occur in iOTL since it would not be till 1415 when Portugal would once again meet up with the Muslims and thus provide the land owners with workers.

[3] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3283969#_ftnref3) In iOTL he placed his illegitimate son John as head of the order, here he does not have any contact with another women and does not sire any illegitimate children.

[4] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3283969#_ftnref4) In iOTL he never did speak to his father following the death of Ines Castro, and he did extract revenge on those he attributed responsible for her death. Here the theory is that the King had most of them killed for bungling the job and those that escaped fled as far as possible.

[5] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3283969#_ftnref5) In iOTL he never did acknowledge his children from Ines Castro and they went to live in Castela for fear of their half brother.

[6] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3283969#_ftnref6) Again major divergence from iOTL

[7] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=3283969#_ftnref7) For those not familiar with early Portuguese history he led the Portuguese forces against Castela at the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385 at the very young age of 25. Here he fulfills Gods manifest by bringing the infidels under God’s grace.

[Astronomo2010]

exelent timeline, i´m subscribing, let´s see the future kings, and the formation of an empire that will last forever on earth , and in space in the future far ahead.:)