The Rise of Tomar and the Knights Templar in Portugal (1159–1162)

Beneath the modern city of Tomar lies the ancient Roman city of Sellium, a settlement that predates the medieval fortifications built during the Portuguese Reconquista. After the conquest of the region from the Moors, King Afonso I of Portugal granted the lands in 1159 as a fief to the Order of the Knights Templar, entrusting them with the defense and settlement of central Portugal.

Gualdim Pais and the Founding of Tomar (1160)

In 1160, Gualdim Pais, the Grand Master of the Templars in Portugal and the legendary founder of Tomar, laid the first stone of the Castle and Monastery of Tomar, which would become the headquarters of the Order in Portugal. The site’s selection was steeped in mysticism and divine inspiration, with legends claiming that geomantic practicesguided the decision, much like the seven hills of Jerusalem, Rome, and Constantinople. Tomar itself was built upon a small chain of seven elevations, reinforcing the site’s symbolic and spiritual significance.

The Foral and the Governance of the Templars (1162–12th Century)

In 1162, Gualdim Pais granted a foral (a feudal charter) to the settlers of Tomar, establishing the town’s rights and privileges. The Knights Templar governed a vast region of central Portugal, pledged to defend it from Moorish incursions and raids.

Like many lords of the sparsely populated frontier lands, the Templars offered relatively liberal conditions to attract new settlers, in contrast to the more rigid feudal structures of northern Portugal.

• Men capable of sustaining a horse were obliged to serve in the military in exchange for privileges but were not granted the title of knight, which remained reserved for monk-warriors of the Order.
• Women were also admitted to the Order, though they did not participate in combat, marking a unique feature in Templar governance.

Under Templar rule, Tomar flourished, becoming a stronghold of military, religious, and economic power that would later play a crucial role in the development of Portugal.

The Death of King Edward and the Regency Struggle (1438–1448)

King Edward of Portugal (Duarte I, r. 1433–1438), a scholarly and deeply moral ruler, earned the title "the philosopher-king" and authored O Leal Conselheiro ("The Loyal Counselor"), a reflection on ethics and governance. His reign, however, was overshadowed by the disastrous 1437 Tangier expedition, which led to the capture of his youngest brother, Prince Fernando ("the Holy Prince").

Grief-stricken and weakened by the plague, Edward died in Tomar on September 9, 1438, before his brother Henry the Navigator could return from North Africa. His six-year-old son, Afonso V, became king—the third consecutive ruler from the House of Avis, also known as the Joanina (Johannine) dynasty.

The Regency Crisis: Pedro vs. Leonor (1438–1439)

Since Afonso V was only six, a regent was needed, and two rival factions emerged:

1. Infante Pedro, Duke of Coimbra

   • Second son of King John I, experienced in governance.
   • Supported by the Portuguese nobility and urban elites.
   • Advocated royal centralization and continued overseas expansion.

2. Queen Mother Leonor of Aragon

   • Opposed Pedro’s regency, fearing he would sideline her influence.
   • Sought to govern herself or install Henry the Navigator as regent.
   • Deeply unpopular in Lisbon, where the people distrusted foreign influence.

Henry the Navigator’s Neutral Role

• Henry had no desire to rule and sought to avoid the family conflict.
• He attempted to mediate peace between Pedro and Leonor, but failed.
• Instead, he supported Pedro, recognizing his governing abilities.

Resolution of the Crisis (1439)

• The Lisbon populace opposed Leonor, favoring Pedro as regent.
• The Cortes of 1439 formally appointed Pedro as Regent of Portugal.
• Queen Leonor, facing overwhelming opposition, left the country, easing tensions.

Pedro’s Regency (1439–1448)

• As regent, Pedro focused on:
  • Strengthening royal authority over the aristocracy.
  • Protecting Portuguese maritime expansion.
  • Educating young Afonso V, preparing him for kingship.

However, his regency would ultimately lead to conflict with the nobility, particularly with the House of Bragança, culminating in the Battle of Alfarrobeira (1449).

Thus, the death of Edward in 1438 led to a tense power struggle, but also allowed Prince Henry the Navigator to return to Sagres and focus on exploration, shaping Portugal’s future maritime dominance.

The Chapel of Our Lady of the Conception (1532–1540): A Masterpiece of Portuguese Renaissance Architecture

The Chapel of Our Lady of the Conception (Nossa Senhora da Conceição), located in Tomar, central Portugal, is one of the finest examples of pure Renaissance architecture in Portugal. Built between 1532 and 1540, the chapel was originally intended as the burial site for King John III, though he was later interred elsewhere.

Architectural Design and Construction

• Construction began in 1532, led by João de Castilho, one of Portugal’s foremost architects, known for his work on the Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon.
• The project was completed in 1540 by Diogo de Torralva, who carried the design to its final execution.
• Unlike the ornate Manueline style that preceded it, the chapel is a pure Renaissance structure, emphasizing:
  • Symmetry and proportionality, inspired by classical Roman and Italian Renaissance architecture.
  • Elegance and simplicity, moving away from late Gothic embellishments.
  • Harmonious geometric forms, particularly in the chapel’s dome and arches.

Significance of the Chapel

• Originally planned as the royal burial site for King John III, it was later abandoned for this purpose.
• Considered one of the most beautiful Renaissance buildings in Portugal, it exemplifies the transition from Manueline to Renaissance styles.
• The clarity and refinement of its architecture influenced later Portuguese religious buildings.

Conclusion: A Landmark of the Portuguese Renaissance

The Chapel of Our Lady of the Conception at Tomar stands as a remarkable example of Portugal’s embrace of the Italian Renaissance. With its pure classical forms, elegant proportions, and historical significance, it remains one of the most important Renaissance structures in Portugal.