Siege of Lisbon (1142) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Siege of Lisbon (1142)
Part of the Portuguese Reconquista
Date Summer of 1142 (?) Location Lisbon, Portugal Result Crusader forces failed to capture Lisbon
Belligerents
Portugal Crusaders	Taifa of Badajoz
Commanders and leaders
Afonso I of Portugal William Vitalus Ralph Vitalus	Unknown
Strength
Unknown Portuguese forces 70 Ships of Anglo-Norman Crusaders

Imagine a time long ago, around the year 1142. A group of brave Crusaders, who were Anglo-Normans (people from England and Normandy in France), were on a long journey to Jerusalem. On their way, they received a special invitation from King Afonso I Henriques of Portugal. He asked them to help him try to capture the city of Lisbon, which was then controlled by a group called the Almoravids. This event is briefly mentioned in old texts like the De expugnatione Lyxbonensi and the Chronica Gothorum. It's thought that two brothers, William and Ralph Vitalus, might have led these Anglo-Norman forces.

What Was the Siege of Lisbon (1142)?

This event was an attempt by Christian forces to take control of Lisbon. It was part of a bigger historical period called the Reconquista. The Reconquista was a long series of battles where Christian kingdoms in the Iberian Peninsula (modern-day Spain and Portugal) tried to reclaim land from Muslim rule. The city of Lisbon was very important because of its location by the sea.

Why Did They Try to Capture Lisbon?

King Afonso I wanted to expand his kingdom and gain control of important cities. Lisbon was a major port and a wealthy city under Almoravid rule. Taking Lisbon would have been a huge victory for Portugal and for the Christian cause in the Reconquista. The Crusaders, on their way to the Holy Land, were also interested in fighting against Muslim control.

Who Was Involved in the Attack?

• The Portuguese: Led by their king, Afonso I Henriques. He was a strong leader who wanted to make Portugal a powerful kingdom.
• The Anglo-Norman Crusaders: These were knights and soldiers from England and Normandy. They were on a religious journey, but they were also skilled fighters. They arrived with about 70 ships.
• The Defenders of Lisbon: The city was controlled by the Taifa of Badajoz, which was part of the Almoravid empire. The people of Lisbon were ready to defend their home.

Why Did the Attack Fail?

The Crusaders and King Afonso I agreed to try and capture Lisbon. However, they soon realized they had a big problem: they didn't have enough soldiers! Lisbon was a very large city with many people and plenty of supplies. This meant it could withstand a long attack. The Christian forces knew they couldn't keep up a long siege (a military blockade to force a city to surrender).

Instead of a full siege, the Christian forces decided to destroy the areas just outside the city walls. This was a way to cause some damage before leaving.

What Happened After the Failed Siege?

After their attempt, the Anglo-Norman Crusaders continued their journey to the Holy Land. The Portuguese forces went back to their own territory. The failure to capture Lisbon made some of the Crusaders unhappy. They felt that their Portuguese allies weren't determined enough. This disagreement actually caused problems later on, when King Afonso I tried to get help from Crusaders again for another attack on Lisbon in 1147.

What Was the Impact of This Event?

Even though the 1142 siege failed, it was still important. It showed King Afonso I that he could work with Crusaders from Northern Europe. This experience helped him plan for the much more successful Siege of Lisbon in 1147, which was part of the Second Crusade.

On the other hand, this failed attempt probably taught the Portuguese king something else. He realized that to truly capture Lisbon, he might first need to control the river that supplied the city. This likely convinced him that capturing the nearby city of Santarem was a necessary step.