Afonso Henriques, Second Count of Portugal (1128-1139), First King of Portugal (1139-1185)

This website presents the findings of a series of visits I made to Portugal in the summers of 2019, 2021, and 2022, for the purpose of exploring sites associated with the legacy of Afonso Henriques. This research began as I traced the route for a course on the Portuguese Caminho de Santiago in the summer of 2019 and in the process began to appreciate the magnitude of the historical legacy of Afonso Henriques, especially in the city of Guimarães. Subsequently, and with the financial resources provided by two Lenfest Summer Research Grants, I have been able to observe and document the memorials and public-facing testaments to the foundational significance that Portugal attributes to the legacy of this twelfth-century king.

These memorials to Afonso Henriques constitute a rich array of testimonials to the public-facing construction of the historical significance of this warrior king. They also purport to convey a sense of cultural identity for Portugal and can be understood as reflections of the national pride of the Portuguese people.

The research project that has led to this collection of testimonials is still in progress. Next stages include a studied reflection on the contours of these public monuments, the messages they convey and their claim on the complex history of which they are a part. Additional questions that are yet to be considered are the designation of Afonso Henriques as the first king of Portugal, given the well-documented fact that his mother styled herself Rainha [Queen of Portugal] in contemporary documents. Not ‘king’, of course, but a monarch nonetheless. Additionally, the process of securing Portuguese national independence began with Count Enrique de Borgonha and his wife Teresa de Leão, the parents of Afonso Henriques. Afonso continued their efforts at achieving national sovereignty by securing the support of the upper nobility through generous land grants, by making regular donations to monasteries and churches, and by lobbying the Pope for his support in matters of Church liturgy and appointments. These practices are at least as relevant to Portuguese history as the battlefield victories for which Afonso is memorialized.

For now, please enjoy the itinerary of the cities visited and the pictures and descriptions of the monuments, churches, battle fields and museums related to the legacy of King Afonso Henriques. I found the process of documenting them to be exhilarating and richly rewarding. I hope the same for you.

Matthew Bailey, Professor of Romance Languages, Washington and Lee University