In this episode, we dive deep into the murky political landscape of the 1130s, focusing on Afonso Henriques’s ambiguous status between 1128 and 1137 as he maneuvered between independence and vassalage to Alfonso VII. The episode unpacks Afonso’s calculated incursions into Galician territory, including the provocative construction of the Castle of Celmes, the backlash from Alfonso VII, and the pivotal Battle of Cerneja, where Afonso defeated key Galician nobles. It culminates in the surprising Pact of Tui, a moment of apparent submission that still leaves historians debating its true implications. Along the way, we explore feudal power dynamics, shifting alliances, and the strategic balancing act Afonso played in shaping Portugal’s early sovereignty.

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Credits:

Flag Image by Miguel Á. Padriñán from Pixabay

Music:

Rythm of War by Zakhar Valaha

A Song For You by Still Point Music

The Flashback by Grand Project

Just a Click Away by OB-LIX

Rumba by Ahmad

Space Mission by Serge Pavkin Music

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