Some years ago, in basic and secondary school,
History was most of all a compilation of names and dates. We would memorize
the names of kings, battles, treaties and other things and along with the
dates of those events. As time went on, we came to see that this memory
effort was somehow useless, because we didn’t recall that information and
we lost it. More than this, we became aware that this compilation of names
and dates must have twisted our image of the historical reality.
In reference to this, we can mention D. Afonso
Henriques and the way we pictured him: a brave and fearless man, an exceptional
warrior who won several battles against the Moors (a kind of Eusébio
from those days), with an extraordinary strength – he used an enormous
sword that weighed many kilograms.
Time went by and we thought over the notable
deeds of this man. Still very young (17 years old), he showed a strong
personality when he stood up against his own mother and her mate because
he didn’t agree with their decisions.
Although he was physically strong, the fame
he reached as a warrior was due to the intense training he followed
(or was forced to follow) ever since he was a child. He didn’t give up.
With unusual qualities, he would spend day after day practising with the
other noblemen of his time.
His capacity to lead men must have contributed
a lot to his victories in the fields. D. Afonso was known for appearing
in the front line with his army and he would never turn his back on the
fighting. So far, a lot had to be done. It seems to me that it might have
been very difficult to convince those noblemen to adhere to his cause and
to be motivated enough to drive his people with him, always cheering them
up (it is important to notice that the “foot-soldiers” not only fought
on foot, but also walked along what would become Portugal).
On the other hand, Afonso Henriques must have
been a true diplomat. He was able to negotiate with Afonso VII from Castela
the independence of the lands he and his men conquered from the Moors.
And although he didn’t consider himself a Catholic, he got the Pope’s blessing
in that independence, and that must not have been easy.
So, we imagined that the true strength of
this great man would pertain to his soul as it drove him to all these stoic
actions that ended up as the foundation of this country.
And throughout History, as well as today,
it seems that what really distinguishes man’s value is neither his physical
nor his economical or political strength (as they often try to make us
believe nowadays).
The difference lies in our spiritual strength.
We all have difficulties. However, some believe they are able to overcome
them, they think about the means they’ll use, they make their plans and
they carry them out promptly. Others wait for better days or for someone
who will help them.
But here are the examples of those who never
waited. Thank you, D. Afonso Henriques.
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