Afonso IV of Portugal: Reforms and the Victory at Río Salado (1325–1357)

Afonso IV of Portugal continued the development policies of his father, King Denis, while also taking significant steps to strengthen royal justice and defend the Iberian Christian kingdoms against external threats.

Judicial Reforms and Governance

One of Afonso IV’s key domestic policies was his reform of the judicial system:

• He dismissed corrupt local judges and replaced them with royally appointed magistrates, ensuring a more centralized and fair system of justice.
• These judicial reforms strengthened royal authority over local governance, reducing the influence of powerful noble factions and corrupt officials.

The Battle of Río Salado (1340): A Christian Victory

In 1340, a large Muslim army—comprising Marinid forces from North Africa and troops from the Emirate of Granada—landed in the Iberian Peninsula, posing a significant threat to Christian rule. Recognizing the danger, Afonso IV allied himself with Alfonso XI of Castile and Pedro IV of Aragon to confront the invasion.

• Afonso IV sent a Portuguese fleet under Admiral Manuel Pessanha to blockade Cádiz, cutting off Muslim reinforcements.
• Meanwhile, he personally led an army overland to join Alfonso XI’s Castilian forces.
• On October 30, 1340, the combined Christian armies decisively defeated the Marinid and Granadan forces at the Battle of Río Salado, marking one of the most significant victories of the Reconquista.

Afonso IV’s Legacy

Afonso IV’s reign reinforced Portugal’s internal stability through his judicial reforms and strengthened Christian Iberia’s defense against external threats. His participation in the Battle of Río Salado solidified Portugal’s military reputation and strengthened its ties with Castile, securing the kingdom’s place in the ongoing Reconquista