Conclusion: The Reconquest Kings of Portugal

Abstract

In the mid-twelfth century Theotonio’s anonymous hagiographer sought to illustrate his hero’s integrity by describing an encounter between the saintly founder of Santa Cruz and Afonso Henriques. The Portuguese ruler was returning north after one of his many successful forays across the frontier — this time into the hinterland of Seville — and his troops were marching their enslaved captives back to Coimbra. These unfortunate prisoners included both Muslims and Mozarabs mingled indiscriminately together, but when Theotonio learned they were all destined for the same servitude he immediately intervened:

O king [he said] you and your nobles are all children of the one Holy Mother Church. Why then do you subjugate your kindred as slaves? In doing this you sin greatly against the Lord your God.¹