Portuguese Army
The Portuguese Army (Portuguese: Exército Português) is the land warfare force of the Armed Forces of Portugal. It is charged with the defence of Portugal, in co-operation with other branches of the Armed Forces. It is one of the oldest armies in the world, with its origins going back to the 12th century.
History
The history of the Portuguese Army is directly connected to the history of Portugal.
Middle Ages
The Portuguese Army has its remotes origins in the military forces of the County of Portugal that allowed its ruler, Afonso Henriques, to obtain its independence from the Kingdom of León and to enlarge its territory in the 12th century. The victory of the Portuguese forces in the battle of São Mamede, on the 24 June, 1128, is considered the seminal event for the foundation of the independent Portugal, leading to Afonso Henriques to style himself as Prince. In the following year, on the 25 July, 1139, the Portuguese troops obtain a spectacular victory over five Moorish kings in the Battle of Ourique, after its end proclaiming Afonso Henriques as King of the Portuguese. Finally, under the Treaty of Zamora, signed on the 5 October, 1143, Portugal was officially recognized as an independent Kingdom.
