The former Kingdom of Galicia, including the Portugal and Coimbra, had been given by Alfonso VI as a county to his son-in-law Raymond of Burgundy.

However, concern for Raymond's growing power leads Alfonso in 1096 to separate Portugal and Coimbra from Galicia and grant them to another son-in-law, Henry of Burgundy, wed to Alfonso VI's illegitimate daughter Theresa.

Henry chooses Braga as the base for this newly formed county, the Condado Portucalense, know at the time as Terra Portucalense or Província Portucalense, which will last until Portugal achieves its independence, recognized by the Kingdom of León in 1143.

Its territory includes much of the current Portuguese territory between the Minho River and the Tagus River.