On This Day
·

Battle of Ourique: Afonso Henriques (later Afonso I of Portugal) defeats Moors

Dom Afonso I nicknamed "the Conqueror" (Portuguese: O Conquistador), "the Founder" (O Fundador) and "the Great" (O Magno) by the Portuguese, was the first king of Portugal, from 26 July 1139 until...

Dom Afonso I nicknamed "the Conqueror" (Portuguese: O Conquistador), "the Founder" (O Fundador) and "the Great" (O Magno) by the Portuguese, was the first king of Portugal, from 26 July 1139 until his death on 6 December 1185. He achieved the independence of the County of Portugal, establishing a new kingdom and doubling its area with the Reconquista, an objective that he pursued until his death.

Afonso was the son of Theresa of León and Henry of Burgundy, rulers of the County of Portugal. Henry died in 1112, leaving Theresa to rule alone.

Historical Significance

Dom Afonso I nicknamed "the Conqueror" (Portuguese: O Conquistador), "the Founder" (O Fundador) and "the Great" (O Magno) by the Portuguese, was the first king of Portugal, from 26 July 1139 until his death on 6 December 1185.

Events Before

  1. Louis, Dauphin of France (later Louis VII) (17) weds Eleanor of Aquitaine (about 15) at Cathedral of Saint-André in Bord

    Louis, Dauphin of France (later Louis VII) (17) weds Eleanor of Aquitaine (about 15) at Cathedral of Saint-André in Bordeaux

  2. Earthquake in Aleppo, Syria, kills an estimated 230,000 people

    Aleppo is a city in northern Syria, which serves as the capital of the Aleppo Governorate, the country's most populous governorate.

  3. Conrad II von Hohenstaufen re-elected German king

    The Hohenstaufen dynasty, also known as the Staufer, was a noble family of German origin that rose to rule the Duchy of Swabia from 1079, and to royal rule in the Holy Roman Empire during the Middle...

  4. Anti-Pope Victor IV (Gregorio) submits himself to Pope Innocentius II

    An antipope (Latin: antipapa) is a person who claims to be Bishop of Rome and leader of the Roman Catholic Church in opposition to the officially elected pope.

  5. English defeat the Scottish at Cowton Moor, Yorkshire; banners of various saints are carried into battle, leading to the

    English defeat the Scottish at Cowton Moor, Yorkshire; banners of various saints are carried into battle, leading to the name Battle of the Standard

Events After

  1. French scholar Peter Abelard is found guilty of heresy

    French scholar Peter Abelard is found guilty of heresy

  2. Hartbert becomes bishop of Utrecht

    Hartbert becomes bishop of Utrecht

  3. Battle of Lincoln: English King Stephen captured by forces loyal to Empress Matilda and commanded by Robert, 1st Earl of

    Battle of Lincoln: English King Stephen captured by forces loyal to Empress Matilda and commanded by Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester

  4. Battle of Qatwan [Samarkand]: Seljuqs are defeated by a Kara-Khitan army, signaling the beginning of the end of the Grea

    Battle of Qatwan [Samarkand]: Seljuqs are defeated by a Kara-Khitan army, signaling the beginning of the end of the Great Seljuk Empire

  5. Possible date for establishment of the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) League [disputed date - other research places date betwe

    Possible date for establishment of the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) League [disputed date - other research places date between 1450 and 1660]

More from the 1130s

Louis, Dauphin of France (later Louis VII) (17) weds Eleanor of Aquitaine (about 15) at Cathedral of Saint-André in Bord

Louis, Dauphin of France (later Louis VII) (17) weds Eleanor of Aquitaine (about 15) at Cathedral of Saint-André in Bordeaux

Earthquake in Aleppo, Syria, kills an estimated 230,000 people

Aleppo is a city in northern Syria, which serves as the capital of the Aleppo Governorate, the country's most populous governorate.

Godfried II the Young becomes Duke of Brabant

Godfried II the Young becomes Duke of Brabant

Pope Innocent II is elected

Pope Innocent II (Latin: Innocentius II; died 24 September 1143), born Gregorio Papareschi, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 14 February 1130 to his death in 1143.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on June 25, 1139?
Dom Afonso I nicknamed "the Conqueror" (Portuguese: O Conquistador), "the Founder" (O Fundador) and "the Great" (O Magno) by the Portuguese, was the first king of Portugal, from 26 July 1139 until his death on 6 December 1185. He achieved the independence of the County of Portugal, establishing a new kingdom and doubling its area with the Reconquista, an objective that he pursued until his death. Afonso was the son of Theresa of León and Henry of Burgundy, rulers of the County of Portugal.
Why is Battle of Ourique: Afonso Henriques (later Afonso I of Portugal) defeats Moors significant?
Dom Afonso I nicknamed "the Conqueror" (Portuguese: O Conquistador), "the Founder" (O Fundador) and "the Great" (O Magno) by the Portuguese, was the first king of Portugal, from 26 July 1139 until his death on 6 December 1185.

Explore More

June 25 in HistoryYear 1139