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Sancho I of Portugal, known
as the Populator (Port. o Povoador), second king of
Portugal, was born on November 11, 1154 in Coimbra and
died on March 26, 1212 in the same city. He was the son of
Afonso I Henriques of Portugal by his wife, Mafalda of
Savoy. Sancho succeeded his father in 1185.
With the death of Afonso I in
1185, Sancho I became the second king of Portugal. Coimbra
was the centre of his kingdom; Sancho terminated the
pointless wars against his neighbours for control of the
Galician borderlands. Instead, he turned all his
attentions to the South, against the Moorish communities
that still thrived. With Crusader help he took Silves in
1191. Sancho ordered the fortification of the city and
built a castle that is today an important monument of
Portuguese heritage.
Sancho I dedicated much of
his reign to political and administrative organization of
the new kingdom. He accumulated a national treasure,
supported new industries and the middle class of merchants.
Moreover, he created several new towns and villages and
took great care in populating remote areas in the northern
Christian regions of Portugal, notably with Flemings and
Burgundians – hence the nickname the Populator. The king
was also known for his love of knowledge and literature.
Sancho I wrote several books of poems and used the royal
treasure to send Portuguese boys to study in European
Universities.
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500rs
King Carlos I
