The Making of Portugal
The Kingdom of Portugal emerged in the 12th century, during the reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula (the conquest of the southern territories, occupied by the Moors).
Baptism of D. Afonso Henriques by Saint Gerard, Archbishop of Braga,
17th century, attributed to Simão Álvares (active 1638-1657),
Museum of Alberto Sampaio, Guimarães.

Domus Municipalis of Braganza, 12th century.
It was used as the headquarters
of the municipal administration of this city
of north-eastern Portugal..
Royal seal of D. Afonso Henriques.
The concept of crusade and the belief that all peninsular kings descended from an ancient Visigoth monarchy, constituted part of the ideological support in the process of conquest towards the south, at the expenses of the territories of the al-Andalus. The help from the church was vital – the religious and military orders contributed largely to the construction of the new kingdom, through their efforts of conquest and settlement
Arms of Lisbon, showing two crows, which, according to legend,
accompanied the boat that transported the body of St. Vincent during its entire journey
from the Algarve to Lisbon (during D. Afonso Henriques reign).
That is the reason why they are represented in the arms of the city
In http://lisboalisboa.blogspot.com/2007/07/os-17-membros-da-nova-cmara-municipal.html, 29/01/2010
The peculiarity of the kingdom's formation lies in the various ways by which the territory was occupied. To the usual feudal forms of appropriation and use of the land – by the nobility, by the clergy and through allotment, a distinct mode made its appearance in Iberia – through the municipalities. They were granted considerable autonomy (that varied from municipality to municipality) by the king (or by a feudal lord). In exchange, these communities of free men would help populate and develop the territory
Articles:
- The Making of Portugal
- The Muslim Influence
- The Age of Discoveries
- The Decline of the Eastern Empire and the Spanish Domination
- The Restoration of Independence and the Brazilian Cycle
- The Pombaline Wave of Development
- The Peninsular Wars and the Liberal Revolution
- The Parliamentary Regime – the First Wave of Industrialization
- The Crisis at the End of the 19th century and the Spread of Republicanism
- The First Republic
- The Advent of the Authoritarian Regime
- The Democratic Process