Anglo-Portuguese Treaty of 1373 facts for kids

The Anglo-Portuguese Treaty of 1373 is a special agreement signed on June 16, 1373. It was made between King Edward III of England and King Ferdinand I and Queen Leonor of Portugal. This treaty created a "perpetual friendship, union, and alliance" between these two countries.

It is the oldest continuous treaty that is still active today. This means it has been in effect for over 650 years!

A Long-Lasting Friendship

This important agreement has been strengthened many times over the centuries. It was confirmed again in 1386, 1643, 1654, 1660, 1661, 1703, and 1815. There was even a secret agreement added in 1899.

In the 20th century, the treaty was recognized in other agreements. These were the Treaties of Arbitration between Britain and Portugal in 1904 and 1914.

Times When the Treaty Paused

The treaty was put on hold for a while between 1580 and 1640. This was during the Iberian Union. During this time, the kings of Spain also ruled Portugal.

But when Portugal became independent again, the alliance started up once more. It became very important during the Napoleonic Wars. Britain sent its best general, the Duke of Wellington, to fight Napoleon's armies in the Peninsular War.

The Treaty in Modern Times

The treaty was used again during the Second World War. Portugal stayed neutral in the war, which Britain agreed to. Britain did not want the war to spread to the Iberian Peninsula.

However, in 1943, after three months of talks, the treaty was fully reactivated. This was done by the British government under Winston Churchill. Britain was allowed to use airfields and naval bases in the Portuguese Azores islands. This helped them fight against German submarines, called U-boats.

Britain also mentioned this treaty in 1982 during the Falklands War. This shows how long-lasting and important the agreement has been.

Celebrating 650 Years

On June 16, 2023, both governments officially celebrated the treaty's 650th anniversary. They recognized it as "the world's longest diplomatic alliance."

What the Treaty Says

The original treaty was written in Latin. A famous part of the treaty promises that the kings and their people will always be "true, faithful, constant, mutual, and perpetual friends."

It also says that they will be "friends to friends and enemies to enemies." This means they will help and support each other by sea and by land. They will do this against anyone who might threaten them.

Second World War Help

In 1943, the Portuguese government let Britain use a big air and naval base. This base was in the Portuguese Azores islands. It became a very important base for the Allies.

Prime Minister Winston Churchill told the British Parliament about this agreement. He said he was announcing something from the treaty signed in 1373. He paused to let everyone realize how old the treaty was. He felt that such a long friendship between two countries was very rare.

See also

• Military alliance
• List of military alliances
• List of treaties
• Treaty of Windsor (1386)
• Anglo-Portuguese Alliance
• Anglo-Portuguese Treaty of 1878
• Treaty of Tagilde