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TinLizzy
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Date Posted:03/28/2010 1:12 AMCopy HTML

About the Oldest Alliance in the World
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joaohonesto



Joined: 19 Sep 2007
Posts: 1026

PostPosted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 2:02 am    Post subject: About the Oldest Alliance in the WorldReport this post Reply with quote

Since the McCann case is having such a profound impact in the relations between Portugal and the UK (and NOT necessarily a bad one), I thought it would be interesting to tell briefly the story of the Oldest Alliance in the World between Portugal and England, and of its consequences.

The Alliance is exactly 621 years old, having been signed on May 9 1386 between Kings João [John] I of Portugal and Richard II of England, Duke of Lancaster. The event took place over Ponte do Mouro, a bridge near present-day Melgaço, close to the northern Portuguese border with Spain.

The reason for this alliance was entirely political: Portugal was under the risk of losing its independence to Castille (present day central Spain) because the throne was set to go to a Castillian princess married to the last Portuguese king of the first dinasty.

So an uprising took place in Portugal due to the threat of annexation, with the common people and part of the nobility rebelling against king João I of Castille. They were led by a Portuguese nobleman, João o Mestre de Avis (the Master of Aviz)

A series of battles for independence followed, in which the Portuguese defeated the Castillian armies in a series of battles, the most notable of which took place at Aljubarrota in 1385 in central Portugal. In this battle the Portuguese army (helped by a company of English bowmen) completely routed the much larger army of the Castillian king, that had to fleed the field. So from then on our independence was more secure, while all other kingdoms in the Iberian Peninsula were annexed by Castille, turning into present-day Spain.

So, after the victory at Aljubarrota, João was recognized as the new king of Portugal, inaugurating our Second Dinasty, the Aviz one. And it was in a context of a continued future threath of annexation by Castille that the alliance between Portugal and England was signed at Ponte do Mouro. And to seal it João I married Filipa [Philipa, 1359-1415], the eldest daughter of John of Gant, of the Plantagenet House, the 1st Duke of Lancaster in 1387, in Porto (where I live!).

And this is where the story gets interesting in my opinion. Because King João and Queen Filipa de Lencastre (as she’s known here) were simply the greatest monarchs in the history of Portugal. And for one very good reason: they presided the beginning of the Portuguese Discoveries, by far the most important event in Portugal’s history, and rightly so if you ask me: we discovered that the world was round!

But there’s more: João and Filipa’s children are referred to in Portuguese history as the “Ínclita Geração”, the Excelsious Generation, which should give a pretty good feeling of how highly they’re regarded here! They were all highly cultured princes and princesses favoring poetry and science, but one of them stands heads and shoulders above the rest: Henrique, better known outside Portugal as Henry the Navigator (born in Porto of course), the man that “gave new worlds to the world”, namely by setting up the Nautical School at Sagres, in the Algarve, the at Westernmost part of Europe (today so popular a tourist attraction that even the ignorant McCanns visited the tip of Sagres!)

And the result of the Oldest Alliance in the World, in the form of the mastermind of the colossal plan to discover the world through the sea, Henry the Navigator, born of a Portuguese father and an English mother, couldn’t be more spectacular: in a few decades, starting with discovering the Madeira and Azores archipelagos still in king João I’s reign, the Portuguese had spread literally all over the earth, from Newfoundland to Australia (that it’s now recogonized the Portuguese “discovered” decades before Cook), and even circumnavigating it in Fernão de Magalhães (Magellan) epic trip.

And note that to do all this it was necessary to break from all the Middle Ages' concepts, namely that the world was flat. For instance, according to common wisdom then, the world ended at the southern tip of Africa — you’d fall off the world if you ventured past it. That’s why it was so psychological important when Bartolomeu Dias discovered the Cape of Torments in 1488, later renamed Cape of Good Hope by King João I because it was the long sought sea passage to India.

There’s a very specific reason why the Portuguese embarked on such a colossal adventure — we were stuck in the Iberian pensinsula with our backs to Spain, always menacing, and thus closed off from the rest of Europe. So there was no way to go but to the sea. But still in my mind that does not explain what happened fully. Namely because there was never hunger in Portugal, people didn’t need to immigrate, but mainly because it was VERY dangerous to embark on such adventures. For instance, long after the exploratory work of sea routes had been done, and there were regular ship routes to India, still half of more of those embarking knew they would die before reaching their destination.

But still the people embarked massively on the Discoveries, it was as if a collective madness to go and discover new worlds took over the land ("To sail is necessary, to live is not necessary"). Soon, for instance, fields in Portugal started being abandoned because everyone was off to India [the general term to describe the worlds being discovered], leading to our traditional low agricultural output that persisted until recently.

And so, as I think this Discoveries madness was all in all a very commendable endeavour, I’d just like to call attention to the fact the man we recognize as the greatest Portuguese that ever lived, a man of vision if there ever was one, was in fact, half-Portuguese and half-British, and namely a native speaker of both languages! Frankly I'm surprised that we Portuguese are being allowed to keep all the merit for the greatest adventure of all time!

So that's how deep our ties with the present-day UK go, and I for one wouldn't like those pesky McCanns to weaken them!

(dedicated to lovers of Sagittarious serpentarius everywhere!)
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P20



Joined: 13 Jul 2007
Posts: 1729

PostPosted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 2:09 am    Post subject: Report this post Reply with quote

THANK you, Joaohonesto !

Smile
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IamSpartacus



Joined: 18 Sep 2007
Posts: 1522

PostPosted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 2:14 am    Post subject: Report this post Reply with quote

Thank you for that little slice of the history that binds us joaohonesto.

How sad though, that this sorry saga has us looking to the past for reasons to respect and honour each other Sad

Team McCann have much to answer for ...
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blondemum



Joined: 01 Sep 2007
Posts: 803

PostPosted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 2:17 am    Post subject: Report this post Reply with quote

The profile of Portugal has been raised considerably by the McCann case; I recall that early in the case reference was made to a possible negative impact on tourism. However, the contributions of forum members from Portugal have, I think, enabled many of us to gain a wider perspective of Portugal.

Where I live, in South Africa, Portugal has never been substantially promoted in the travel industry. It simply didn't make it on to our tourist map, for no discernible reason. As a traveller I now feel I have been deprived. It is particularly extraordinary to think that our close neighbours - Mozambique and Angola - have a rich Portuguese heritage.

Joaohonesto's history of Portugal gives an insight into the rich cultural heritage of Portugal that puts one in mind of the seafaring discoverers of long ago - even the province I live in was originally named by the Portuguese!

This year my family will enjoy their annual holiday in Portugal.
May it be the first of many.
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vilipend



Joined: 10 Aug 2007
Posts: 3751

PostPosted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 2:19 am    Post subject: Report this post Reply with quote

[quote="blondemum"]The profile of Portugal has been raised considerably by the McCann case; I recall that early in the case reference was made to a possible negative impact on tourism. However, the contributions of forum members from Portugal have, I think, enabled many of us to gain a wider perspective of Portugal.

Where I live, in South Africa, Portugal has never been substantially promoted in the travel industry. It simply didn't make it on to our tourist map, for no discernible reason. As a traveller I now feel I have been deprived. It is particularly extraordinary to think that our close neighbours - Mozambique and Angola - have a rich Portuguese heritage.

Joaohonesto's history of Portugal gives an insight into the rich cultural heritage of Portugal that puts one in mind of the seafaring discoverers of long ago - even the province I live in was originally named by the Portuguese!

This year my family will enjoy their annual holiday in Portugal.
May it be the first of many.[/quote]



Hello blondemum! Nice post. Smile
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tripz



Joined: 09 Sep 2007
Posts: 4537
Location: Celestial Teapot floating around the cosmos

PostPosted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 2:22 am    Post subject: Report this post Reply with quote

very informative post... Wink

Shame the English don't respect the portuguese who come to the UK to work, especially on the fields of Lincolnshire..

peace
&justice
tripz
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blondemum



Joined: 01 Sep 2007
Posts: 803

PostPosted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 2:38 am    Post subject: Report this post Reply with quote

Hello vili! Nice to see you!
Isn't it amazing the alliances that have sprung up over the McCann case - here are you and I, foes in theory as we usually disagree, but always happy to see one another.

I reckon once this is all over we can all go to Portugal for a holiday. Joaohonesto would make a most excellent and informative guide!
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BeoWulf



Joined: 16 Nov 2007
Posts: 353

PostPosted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 2:43 am    Post subject: Report this post Reply with quote

Bravo Joao!
I would like just to had there that Portugal didn't went further exploring even more, because there was no much left, and the Portuguese Empire (that many ignore it existed http://web.archive.org/web/20080110160634/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portuguese_Empire ) didn't grow more bacause Portugal was short in people to manage it. We have discovered and been many places that we didn't even care about to go back due to many other places we discovered that we were more interested on.
One big example is today's Canada where I am now. Here in schools they teach that was the Italian John Cabot who discovered Canada, but in fact 2 Portuguese Navigators, the Corte Real Brothers were here 50 years earlier in a land that they called Labrador that today has the same name and it mean Farm's man in Portguese.
I heard that there's a movie coming out about Fenao Magalhaes adventure being the first man turning around the world proving its roundness. His name also gave name to today's GPS brand system, Magellan.
Let me finish telling you that my last name is also Magalhaes, and there's very old documents in my family that makes us think we are Fernao Magalhaes descendents.
We are just a very small country with no much people to make our voice noticed between world's voices. In a world with around 200 countries, we are just 0.0006% of world's population.
I'm proud to be Portuguese, i love our people,our history and our culture, and i rely love also the British people, their history and culture that in many things i see as very similar to our.

Edited to add the link for info about the portuguese empire.


Last edited by BeoWulf on Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:25 am; edited 2 times in total
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HumptyBumpty



Joined: 27 Sep 2007
Posts: 480

PostPosted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 2:44 am    Post subject: Report this post Reply with quote

And an alliance for many years to come...

I feel sure that the good and hospitable people of Portugal are fully aware that the McCanns are in no way representative of British people, the majority of whom support the Portuguese authorities fully in their attempts to bring them to justice.

Bravo, Joaohonesto...
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DD7



Joined: 09 Aug 2007
Posts: 55

PostPosted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 3:27 am    Post subject: Re: About the Oldest Alliance in the WorldReport this post Reply with quote

[quote=" Henry the Navigator, born of a Portuguese father and an English mother, )[/quote]


Boa Joao!!
I also son of a Portuguese father and a English mother have chose to carry a portuguese passport as portugal was the land of my birth. Now living in England, i fly high the Portuguese flag every time there is an occasion to do so. Even when my windows were stoned after the last football match between Portugal and England on the last world cup and the police advised me to take the flag down, the flag stayed high and proud...! because thats our nature! Forward against all odds!
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angryturtle



Joined: 19 Nov 2007
Posts: 46

PostPosted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 8:30 am    Post subject: Report this post Reply with quote

[quote="BeoWulf"]Bravo Joao!
I would like just to had there that Portugal didn't went further exploring even more, because there was no much left, and the Portuguese Empire (that many ignore it existed http://web.archive.org/web/20080110160634/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portuguese_Empire ) didn't grow more bacause Portugal was short in people to manage it. We have discovered and been many places that we didn't even care about to go back due to many other places we discovered that we were more interested on.
One big example is today's Canada where I am now. Here in schools they teach that was the Italian John Cabot who discovered Canada, but in fact 2 Portuguese Navigators, the Corte Real Brothers were here 50 years earlier in a land that they called Labrador that today has the same name and it mean Farm's man in Portguese.
I heard that there's a movie coming out about Fenao Magalhaes adventure being the first man turning around the world proving its roundness. His name also gave name to today's GPS brand system, Magellan.
Let me finish telling you that my last name is also Magalhaes, and there's very old documents in my family that makes us think we are Fernao Magalhaes descendents.
We are just a very small country with no much people to make our voice noticed between world's voices. In a world with around 200 countries, we are just 0.0006% of world's population.
I'm proud to be Portuguese, i love our people,our history and our culture, and i rely love also the British people, their history and culture that in many things i see as very similar to our.

Edited to add the link for info about the portuguese empire.[/quote]

Beowulf,
Labrador name was not given by Gaspar Corte Real, but by Joao Fernandes Lavrador that explored that region. Corte Real called it "Ilha do Bacalhau" (codfish Island)
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rhodes03



Joined: 10 Aug 2007
Posts: 4427
Location: HQ

PostPosted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 8:32 am    Post subject: Report this post Reply with quote

riveting
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pear



Joined: 22 Aug 2007
Posts: 3110

PostPosted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 8:38 am    Post subject: Report this post Reply with quote

[quote="blondemum"]The profile of Portugal has been raised considerably by the McCann case; I recall that early in the case reference was made to a possible negative impact on tourism. However, the contributions of forum members from Portugal have, I think, enabled many of us to gain a wider perspective of Portugal.

Where I live, in South Africa, Portugal has never been substantially promoted in the travel industry. It simply didn't make it on to our tourist map, for no discernible reason. As a traveller I now feel I have been deprived. It is particularly extraordinary to think that our close neighbours - Mozambique and Angola - have a rich Portuguese heritage.

Joaohonesto's history of Portugal gives an insight into the rich cultural heritage of Portugal that puts one in mind of the seafaring discoverers of long ago - even the province I live in was originally named by the Portuguese!

This year my family will enjoy their annual holiday in Portugal.
May it be the first of many.[/quote]

Hi, blondemum, I have fond memories of my holidays in Cape Town. My only regret is that I never went up to Table Mountian, that was shrouded by clouds all the time I was there Smile
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pear



Joined: 22 Aug 2007
Posts: 3110

PostPosted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 8:41 am    Post subject: Report this post Reply with quote

[quote="BeoWulf"]
We are just a very small country with no much people to make our voice noticed between world's voices. In a world with around 200 countries, we are just 0.0006% of world's population./quote]

You forgot to say that Portuguese is the 6th language in the world, for native speakers(I think Confused ), though, thanks to Brazil and the African countries Smile
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Primavera



Joined: 30 May 2007
Posts: 3660
Location: Casa Nostra

PostPosted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 8:44 am    Post subject: Report this post Reply with quote

Good morning joaohonesto,

Thank you for your very interesting post. I have never been to Portugal but since the McCann case and seeing how lovely the country is I will definitely be going there in the future.
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