The Repopulation of Portugal Under Afonso Henriques and Sancho I

The rapid military expansion of Afonso Henriques, from Coimbra to Lisbon, creates a vast and relatively uninhabited frontier between the north and south of Portugal. To secure these lands and reinforce Christian rule, an immediate repopulation effort begins.

Repopulating the Land with Crusaders and Foreign Settlers

• After the siege of Lisbon in 1147, Afonso Henriques invites many Crusaders to stay in Portugal as settlers. As payment for their military service, they receive land grants, particularly in Atouguia and Lourinhã.
• His successor, Sancho I ("O Povoador"—The Populator), dedicates much of his reign to settling the newly expanded kingdom.
• He actively recruits foreign settlers, especially from Burgundy, his ancestral homeland, sending agents to attract colonists to resettle in Portugal.

Strategic Settlements and Their Impact

• One of the most notable settlements is Vila dos Francos (modern-day Azambuja), which becomes a key hub for Burgundian colonists.
• These new Christian communities spread rapidly, benefiting from royal protection.
• Sancho I sees these settlements not only as a means to populate the kingdom but also as a strategy to reduce the power of the nobility, strengthening royal authority over the realm.

Through these efforts, Portugal transitions from a militarized frontier into a stable, growing monarchy, paving the way for its continued expansion and consolidation.