User:Kansas Bear/Siege of Santarém (1184)

The Siege of Santarém, lasted from June 1184 to July 1184. In the spring of 1184, Abu Yaqub Yusuf assembled an army, crossed the straits of Gibraltar and marched to Seville. From there he marched towards Badajoz and headed west to besiege Santarem, which was defended by Afonso I of Portugal. Upon hearing of Abu Yusuf's attack, Ferdinand II of Leon marched his troops to Santarem to support his father in law, Alfonso I.

Death of Yusuf
Abu Yusuf believing he had sufficient troops to maintain the siege, sent orders for part of his army to march to Lisbon and lay siege to that city. The orders were misinterpreted and his army seeing large contingents of men leaving the battle became confused and started to retreat. Abu Yusuf, in an attempt to rally his troops, was wounded by a crossbow bolt and died on July 29, 1184.

Papal Recognition
The defense of Santarem was a major achievement for Afonso I, the first king of Portugal. Pope Alexander III formally recognized him as rex Portugalensium.