The Portuguese House of Burgundy ruled Portugal from its founding in 1096 until the 1383–85 Interregnum, shaping the kingdom’s early identity, language, and territorial expansion. It began with Henry of Burgundy, whose son Afonso Henriques became Portugal’s first king after declaring independence from León.

• Founded: By Henry of Burgundy in 1096, granted the County of Portugal after marrying Teresa of León.

• First King: Afonso I (Afonso Henriques), declared independence in 1139 after the Battle of Ourique.

• Major Achievements:

  • Formalized the Portuguese language under King Dinis I.

  • Established the first Portuguese parliament under King Afonso II.

  • Conquered the Algarve under King Afonso III, expanding Portugal’s territory.

• Dynastic Influence: Linked to the Capetian dynasty and spread across Europe through royal marriages and noble appointments.

• End of Rule: The dynasty ended in 1383 with the death of King Ferdinand I and the disputed succession of Beatrice of Portugal, leading to the rise of the House of Aviz

🏰 Key Highlights of the House of Burgundy

In 1249, the winds shifted across the southern edge of Iberia. As rival kingdoms clashed and empires faded, one final frontier remained for Portugal. King Afonso III, determined and unyielding, launched the campaign that would change the nation’s destiny.

From tense negotiations to decisive strikes, the Algarve became the stage for the last great push of the Reconquista — a moment when borders were redrawn, alliances tested, and a kingdom finally reached the sea.

In this episode, we continue on the conquest of the Iberian Peninsula of Muslim territories