Nicholas (bishop of Silves and Viseu) facts for kids

Nicholas was an important church leader who lived a long time ago. He was a bishop in Portugal during a period called the Reconquista. This was a time when Christian kingdoms were taking back land from Muslim rule in the Iberian Peninsula. Nicholas served as the bishop of Silves from 1189 to 1191, and then as the bishop of Viseu from 1192 until his death in 1213.

Nicholas Joins a Crusade

Nicholas came from a place called Flanders, which is now part of Belgium. He was a clergyman, meaning he worked for the church. Nicholas decided to join a big international sea trip. This trip was part of the Third Crusade, a major effort by European Christians to travel to the Holy Land.

Helping in the Siege of Silves

On their way to the Holy Land, Nicholas and his fleet helped King Sancho I of Portugal. They joined the king in attacking the city of Silves. This attack, known as the Siege of Silves, lasted from July 21 to September 3, 1189.

After Silves was captured, Nicholas was chosen to be the new bishop of the city. Some of his friends from Flanders decided to stay with him in Silves. The rest of the crusaders continued their journey to the Holy Land.

The new governor of Silves asked Nicholas for a favor. He wanted Nicholas to convince the crusaders to help capture another city, Faro. However, Nicholas could not get everyone to agree, so the attack on Faro did not happen.

Bishop of Silves

Just five days after Silves was captured, Nicholas turned the city's mosque into a Christian cathedral. This happened on September 8, 1189, a special day for Christians called the Nativity of Mary. Nicholas had a team of church leaders working with him. One of them, William, was sent back to Flanders. His job was to find more people to come and live in the new diocese, which is the area a bishop oversees.

Royal Support for Nicholas

Before the end of 1189, King Sancho I gave Nicholas several special rights. He also gave him a piece of land in Mafra. In December, Nicholas was present when the king gave the castle of Alvor to a monastery in Coimbra.

In March 1190, Nicholas gave the church control over the castle of Lagos. The king had already given this castle to the monastery of São Vicente de Fora.

Defending Silves

In the summer of 1190, a group called the Almohads attacked Silves. This was another siege. When a ship carrying English crusaders arrived, Nicholas asked them to help defend the city. The people of Silves even damaged the crusaders' ship to make sure they stayed and helped. After being promised a new ship, the crusaders agreed to join the defense. In the end, the Almohads stopped their attack.

Nicholas Moves to Viseu

In February 1191, Nicholas was present when King Sancho made another gift to the monastery of Alcobaça. That summer, the Almohads returned to Silves. They attacked the city again, and this time, Silves surrendered on July 25.

A year later, in July 1192, the bishop of Viseu, named João Peres, passed away. Before the month was over, Nicholas was chosen to take his place. Nicholas served as the bishop of Viseu for many years. Records show his activities there between February 1196 and December 1210.

Nicholas died on October 25, 1213. Some records suggest it might have been in 1214.