"also called Afonso Henriques, byname AFONSO THE CONQUEROR, Portuguese AFONSO O
CONQUISTADOR, the first king of Portugal (1139-85), who conquered Santarâem and Lisbon from the Muslims (1147) and secured Portuguese independence from Leon (1139).
"Alfonso VI, emperor of Leon, had granted the county of Portugal to Afonso's father, Henry of Burgundy, who successfully defended it against the Muslims (1095-1112). Henry married Alfonso VI's illegitimate daughter, Teresa, who governed Portugal from the time of her husband's death (1112) until her son Afonso came of age. She refused to cede her power to Afonso, but his party prevailed in the Battle of Säao Mamede, near Guimaräaes (1128). Though at first obliged as a vassal to submit to his cousin Alfonso VII of Leon, Afonso assumed the title of king in 1139.
"By victory in the Battle of Ourique (1139) he was able to impose tribute on his Muslim neighbours; and in 1147 he further captured Santarâem and, availing himself of the services of passing crusaders, successfully laid siege to Lisbon. He carried his frontiers beyond the Tagus River, annexing Beja in 1162 and âEvora in 1165; in attacking Badajoz, he was taken prisoner but then released. He married Mafalda of Savoy and associated his son, Sancho I, with his power. By the time of his death he had created a stable and independent monarchy." MATILDA de MAURIENNE and ALFONSO I HENRIQUES of Portugal had the following children:
623 i. Henrique of Portugal.
624 ii. Mafalda.
+625 iii. Queen Urraca of
Portugal.
626 iv. Sancha.
627 v. Sancho I Martino of
Portugal.
628 vi. Joao.
629 vii. Teresa (Matilda)
of Portugal.
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