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Auction: 323 - The Numismatic Collector's Series Sale
Lot: 353

Portugal. Dom Afonso Henriques - Afonso I, "the Conqueror" (1139-1185). Billon Dinheiro. 0.46 gms. Tree of Life beneath cross, crescent either side, within circle; ALFOS REX, rev. Cross, large pellet in two of the angles; x PORTVGA. Gomes 04.03. Alfonso VI, ruler of Leon, granted the county of Portugal to Afonso's father Henry of Burgundy, who successfully defended the land against the onslaught of Muslim armies. Henry was married to Alfonso's illegitimate daughter Teresa and when he died she was to govern until their son Afonso came of age. But when the time came, Teresa and her new husband, the Galician Count Fernando Peres de Trava refused to relinquish power. In 1128, the young Afonso Henriques defeated his step-father's army at the Battle of São Mamede. Exiling his mother, he assumed rule, and in 1129 proclaimed himself Prince of Portugal. Turning his attention to the persistent Moorish incursions in the south, Afonso campaigned vigorously and his efforts culminated in a resounding victory at the Battle of Ourique in 1139. Afonso was hailed as the king of the Portuguese and the first assembly of the estates general was convened at Lamego to confirm Portugal's independence. Independence, though, was only fully achieved diplomatically. Afonso had to be acknowledged by his neighbors and most importantly by the Roman Catholic Church and the Pope. He wed Mafalda of Savoy, sent ambassadors to Rome, renounced the suzerainty of his cousin Alfonso VI of Leon and placed himself as a vassal of the Pontifex - as had the kings of Sicily and Aragon. In 1179 the Papal bull "Manifesta Probatus" accepted the new king as vassal solely to the Pope. Good Very Fine.

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