| Birth: | May 5, 1210 | | Death: | Feb. 16, 1279 | 
Portuguese monarch. Born in Coimbra, the second son of Afonso II and his wife, Urraca of Castile. Alfonso was raised largely in France, and there married Matilda, Countess of Boulogne in 1238. Within ten years, Pope Innocent IV came into conflict with Sancho II, Alfonso's brother and Portugal's king. The pope ordered Sancho removed from the throne and replaced by the count of Bolougne. The unpopular Sancho was summarily exiled to Castile and Alfonso ascended to the throne after divesting himself of his wife and the title she brought to their marriage. In 1253, Alfonso married Beatriz of Castile, daughter of Alfonso X the Wise of Castile. In 1254, Alfonso held the first session of the Cortes, the kingdom's general assembly. Credited as a notable administrator, he founded several towns; instituted administrative and financial reforms, encouraged commerce, reorganized public administration, and made laws restraining the upper classes from abusing the lower. He initiated a Reconquista of Portugal against Moorish settlers in the south, capturing Faro and adding Algarve as part of the kingdom. Alfonso was succeeded by his eldest surviving son, Diniz. (bio by: Iola)
Family links:
Parents:
Afonso II Of Portugal (1185 - 1233)
Urraca Of Castile (1187 - 1220)
Children:
Dinis I The Farmer Of Portugal (1261 - 1325)*
*Calculated relationship
Search Amazon for Alfonso III | | | Burial:
Mosterio de Santa Maria
Alcobaca
Leiria, Portugal |
Maintained by: Find A Grave
Originally Created by: girlofcelje (inactive)
Record added: Jun 30, 2003
Find A Grave Memorial# 7640759 |
|
|
|
Do you have a photo to add? Click here |
(4.3 after 45 votes)
