Henry of Burgundy, d. 1112, count of Portugal. One of a group of French nobles called by Alfonso VI of León to assist in the fight against the Moors, he arrived in Spain c.1095. He was assigned a portion of land previously held by his cousin Raymond, who was the husband of Alfonso's daughter Urraca. To Henry, Alfonso gave his illegitimate daughter Teresa and the title count of Coimbra—later exchanged for the title count of Portugal. After the death of Alfonso VI, Henry tried to enhance his position by war and intrigues with and against Urraca, her son Alfonso (later Alfonso VII of Castile), and her second husband, Alfonso I of Aragón. In this he failed, but he died leaving a territory that was to become the independent kingdom of Portugal under his son Alfonso I.
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
See more Encyclopedia articles on: Spanish and Portuguese History: Biographies
