Treaty of Tagilde facts for kids
The Treaty of Tagilde was an important agreement signed on July 10, 1372. It happened in a small village called Tagilde in Portugal. This treaty was signed by King Ferdinand I of Portugal and representatives of John of Gaunt. John of Gaunt was an English duke and a son of King Edward III. He also wanted to be king of Castile.
This agreement is seen as the very first step in creating the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance. This alliance between England (now the UK) and Portugal is still active today. The Treaty of Tagilde was followed by the Anglo-Portuguese Treaty of 1373. This later treaty was signed in St Paul’s Cathedral and is also known as the Treaty of London. Later, the Treaty of Windsor (1386) confirmed the London treaty. This makes it the oldest continuous treaty still in effect today.
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Why Was the Treaty of Tagilde Signed?
The Treaty of Tagilde was signed at the Church of São Salvador of Tagilde. It officially created an alliance between two people who both wanted to be king of Castile.
The Fight for the Castilian Throne
Before this treaty, there was a big disagreement over who should rule Castile. D. Pedro and his half-brother, D. Enrique de Trastámara, were fighting. D. Pedro was killed in 1369 at the Battle of Montiel. After this, King Ferdinand of Portugal declared war on D. Enrique.
John of Gaunt's Claim
John of Gaunt had married D. Pedro's daughter, Constance, in 1371. Because of this marriage, John of Gaunt believed he had a right to the Castilian throne.
King Ferdinand's Claim
King Ferdinand of Portugal also had a claim to the throne. He was the great-grandson of a previous king of Castile. For Ferdinand, this treaty was a chance to show that Portugal was independent. He wanted to protect Portugal from Castile's influence.
The Plan to Fight Castile
The treaty agreed that England and Portugal would fight Castile together. The English forces would attack from the north. The Portuguese forces would attack from the west.
What Happened After the Treaty?
Soon after signing the Treaty of Tagilde, King Ferdinand sent two ambassadors to England. They went to meet John of Gaunt at the Savoy Palace in London. This was John of Gaunt's home. There, John of Gaunt officially signed the treaty.
More Alliances
The Portuguese ambassadors were also allowed to make alliances with King Edward III of England. They could also make an alliance with his oldest son, Edward, Prince of Wales. These talks led to the Treaty of London, signed on June 16, 1373.
A Big Victory
In 1385, the Portuguese army fought a major battle. With help from English soldiers, they defeated the Castilian forces. This important victory happened at the Battle of Aljubarrota.
Celebrating the Treaty
In 2022, people celebrated a special anniversary. It was the 650th year since the Treaty of Tagilde was signed.
