Alphonso, who succeeded him, being under age, the kingdom during his minority was governed by the queen mother, assisted by two able ministers. During this minority, those jealousies and • hostile operations which have ever since obtained between the Spanish and Por tuguese monarchies first appeared. .Alphonso, however, when he came of age, made peace with the king of Castile and Leon ; and although the latter afterwards entered the Portuguese territories, and was preparing to co Unit great devastations, a reconciliation was again effected on the intercession of the pope's legate. all places and prisoners on either side having been delivered up. The queen mother, however, was of a disposition incapable of remain ing long in peace. After she had made a treaty with her foreign enemies, a quarrel took place between her and her own son, which having terminated in a civil war, not only were her troops completely defeated, but herself was made prisoner ; in which situation she continued during the remainder of her life.
Alphonso had not long gained uncontrolled possession of his dominions, when they were attempted to be overrun by the Moors. He was not, however, slow in opposing them. And a general engagement (1139) having taken place on the plains of Ourique, on the banks of the Tagus, the infidel army was overthrown with tremendous slaughter an event which not only redounded to the honour of Al phonso, but which laid the foundation of the Portuguese monarchy. Alphonso was proclaimed king by his soldiers on the field of battle ; a title which he enjoyed till his death, and which was for generations retained by his descendants. At a subsequent period he caused himself, with great ceremony, to be chosen and crowned king before an assembly of the states, on which occasion he solemnly re nounced all dependence on the crown of Spain, declaring, that if any of his successors should consent to do homage or pay tribute to that power, he was unworthy of possessing the kingdom of Portugal. But though Alphonso had attain ed to this dignity, he did not allow himself to enjoy it in inglo rious tranquillity. While he made several unsuccessful irruptions into the territories of the king of Castile, (who had now assumed the title of emperor of Spain,) he at the same time continued with unabated ardour to extirpate the Moors, who still were in possession of a great portion of his dominions. Lisbon being in their hands, he reduced it by means of a fleet of adventurers, French, English, Flemings, who, in their way to the Holy Land, anchored at the mouth of the Tagus, whose assistance he requested and obtained in a cause not entirely foreign to that in which they were embarked. He made many successful
expeditions against the Moors, and became master of four of the six provinces of which Portugal now consists. He died in 1185, celebrated for courage, patriotism, and for his love and patronage of learned men.
His son Sancho, who succeeded him, was worthy of his distinguished predecessor. Though, before his accession, he had been remarkable for a restless and warlike disposi tion, lie had no sooner obtained possession of the throne than he became a lover of peace, and began, with great assiduity, to repair or rebuild the cities that had suffered by the late wars, and to make what compensation he could for the injuries and losses his subjects had sustained. But though thus pacifically inclined, the state of the nation did not permit him to remain long in peace. The Moors still infested the southern parts of his dominions, over whom he obtained several signal victories. He added considerably to the extent of his territories ; and, at an advanced age, he died with the reputation of the best sovereign that had ever filled the throne of Portugal.
For some time after his death, no event of importance occurs in the Portuguese annals. In the thirteenth cen tury, the Moors were expelled by Alphonso Ill. from Al garve and the south of the kingdom; and, in the subsequent century, the Portuguese made occasional descents on the coast of Africa with various success. But the wars against the Moors were unhappily succeeded by hostilities with the Kings of Castile, which have engendered such implaca ble hatred between the two nations. The reign of Deniz, (an enlightened and patriotic prince, who is justly denomi nated the father of his country,) notwithstanding some occasional treaties of peace, may be regarded as almost one continued series of warfare with the Castilians. But at length, in the reign of John I. hostilities between these two nations were carried on, if possible, with greater vigour and animosity. The king of Castile, having laid pretensions to the crown of Portugal, invaded that kingdom at the head of the whole forces of his dominions. Having entered the province of Alentejo, and besieged the town of Elvas without effect, he found it necessary to retire into his own territories, determined, however, to invade Portu gal a second time, and lay waste the whole country. But the second expedition was not more successful than the first. He was completely defeated; and John was thus firmly established on the throne of Portugal. The Cas tilians consented to a truce of three years, which was afterwards improved into a lasting peace.