Wars against the Moors
The capture of Ceuta 1415 had marked the beginning of Portuguese overseas expansion. This was followed by the capture of Alácer Quibir (Ksar el Kebir) in 1448, Arzila (Asilah), Anfa in 1469. However, it was in 1471 that Afonso V sent 30,000 men against the Kingdom of Fez, capturing Larache and Tangier. The King of Fez was forced to recognize Portuguese sovereignty over the Tangier peninsula north of the Sebou River. Further south, Santa Cruz do Mar Pequen (Agadir) was taken in 1476.
The wars in North Africa allowed Portugal initially to capture much of the overland gold trade from West Africa, and this would be cemented in 1481-1482 with the establishment of São Jorge da Mina in West Africa, allowing Portugal to control much of West Africa and the Sahara's trade routes. In addition, the wars allowed Portuguese nobles to perform feats of heroism in war and gain prestige along with titles. Finally hunger for land in Portugal north of the Tejo, allowed these nobles to obtain larger estates, along the conquered fortresses.
However, the Portuguese used forts to mount raids into Morocco to obtain plunder and take captives as slaves. Lagos in southern Portugal also became the centre of anti-Moroccan piracy. However, this would soon prove disastrous, as it alienated the locals in Morocco and hampered the grain trade from the interior to the Portuguese forts. This would lead to the Portuguese wanting to conquer the entire Kingdom of Fez. To that end, the Canary Islands were of interest, and in 1476 were granted to Portugal as part of Joana I's dowry. In return, Portugal allocated 300 million maravedis to Castile to conquer Granada.
The war against Morocco by Castile began in 1479 when border raids by the Moors had destroyed Castilian border villages. In addition, the rulers of Granada had not been paying their tribute to the Kings of Castile as stipulated. This led to a war, culminating in the conquest of Granada after an eight-month siege in 1481.
Though initially protected by Queen Juana's decrees, the Muslims who failed to convert were soon subject to reprisals, leading to an exodus to Northern Africa. In addition, Jews began to face popular hostility, leading many to settle in the safety of Portugal and Portuguese North Africa. This had been in addition, to the Jewish refugees from Fez in 1462, due to anti-Jewish repression in that kingdom.
King Afonso V and his successor João II would maintain some of the least severe laws against Jews and Muslims during this period. Indeed, their status can be summed up as being protected, but inferior subjects of the crown.
Laws prevented Christians from desecrating their sepulchres or any attempt to prevent them from observing their religious festivals. Also, Jews were exempt from being summoned before court on the Sabbath or Passover.
However, most Jews and Muslims lived in separated quarters of Portugal's cities called Judiarias fro Jews, and Mourarias for Muslims. Lisbon had three of the former. As the Jewish population of Portugal would number some 35,000 by 1500. The Muslim population was much smaller and there were far fewer mourarias throughout the kingdom. Though these quarters were not as restrictive as the ghettos found elsewhere in Europe as they could be expanded in size according to need. However, curfews existed and Jews and Muslims could not leave their quarters after vespers. In addition, sexual relations barred with Christian women. Also, Jews and Muslims had to wear distinctive badges, though some of the wealthier members were exempt from this. Finally, they were forbidden from carrying arms, though some were prominent in the armies in Morocco and later the New World.
However, discriminatory laws were often ignored or not enforced as some more prominent members of Jewish and Muslim communities were allowed to live outside their quarters, though the majority remained in the judiarias and mourarias. These communities were largely self-governing, as Jews and Muslims were governed under separate laws. They retainined their own synagogues and mosques, schools, cemeteries, butchers. In cities such as Évora, free Muslims, were placed under the judge or alcalde, elected by themselves, though this often led to feuding. The Jewish communities in turn were governed by a rabi-menor (lesser rabbi). All of the Jewish communities in Portugal however, were under a rabbi-mor, appointed by the crown, acting as a sort of Minister of Jewish affairs.
In addition, unlike in Castile, popular anti-Jewish violence was rare. The one major occurrence in 1449, was anti-Jewish riot in Lisbon. Though this was put down by the king's forces and the Christians involved were punished, many of the perpetrators fined or sent into exile in Ceuta. The crown offered privileges to converts to Christianity, though forced conversions were forbidden. Also, little anti-Jewish literature is found during this period in comparison to Castile and Aragon.
Though only 3% of the total population, Jews in Portugal played a vital economic role in the country. Many Jews were skilled craftsmen and dominated metal work as blacksmiths, jewellers, and most importantly armourers. Also many were, tailors, cobblers. etc. The smaller Muslim community dominated hemp and carpet weaving, many others were potters and cobblers. Also, the majority of doctors and barbers were Jews, including every single royal physician. They were also the majority of astronomers and astrologers, with court astrologers all being Jewish. The astronomers in particular played a vital role in the maritime discoveries.
Perhaps most importantly, Portuguese Jews active in commerce. Royal protection had been offered to all Jews trading in the king's dominions by King Duarte I. Jews became prominent in trade of sugar from Madeira, and later from Espanhola. This led to many had connections with the Portuguese aristocracy. Exempt from laws against usury, many Jews became money lenders and provided the funds for Portuguese conquests. In the war against Fez, the Jewish community contributed 60 million reais, or around one-fifth of the total cost. The Muslims from Portugal also played a role in commerce with some being authorized to emigrate to Muslim lands to engage in trade. Finally, the Jews became the majority of the tax collectors for the crown, providing another vital role and tying their allegiance to the king, in return for his protection.
