The Reconquest kings of Portugal : political and cultural reorientation on the medieval frontier /

Lay (Oxford) offers the first general history of Portugal during the central Middle Ages in English since the very general offerings of Harold Livermore decades ago. Most of the histories of medieval Iberia have collectively studied the assorted Christian kingdoms, which tended to obscure any focus on the Portuguese kingdom. Beginning with the siege of Coimbra in 1064 and the political origin of Portugal as a country under the control of the Leonese-Castilian kings, Lay details the emergence of an independent Portugal in the 12th century under Afonso I Henriques (1128-85) and the four successor reigns to 1250. The author stresses the role of the Islamic Reconquest in forging the culture of the country, which not only shaped its geographical space but also influenced the cultural encounter with its Muslim citizens. The Church, which legitimized the monarchy and also became its tenacious opponent, receives extensive attention. The study addresses the major historical debates regarding Portugal as well as the peninsula at large, includes a fine bibliography, and provides an updated, utilitarian overview of an important medieval monarchy. Only the skimpy maps are inadequate to the task. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels/libraries. J. F. Powers emeritus, College of the Holy Cross