Henrique of Burgundy
Count of Portugal
(>1069–1112)

Biographical

Count of Portugal 1095–1112†
Conde de Coimbra 1107
Conde de Tordesillas 1097
Señor de Zamora 1111
Señor de Astorga 1111
Señor de Braga 1083

Henrique arrived on the Iberian Peninsula in around 1094 and rose to prominence as a warrior against the Almoravids, reaching the height of his prestige when he married Teresa, illegitimate daughter of Alfonso VI, who granted him lands, creating the territorial basis of the County of Portugal. He travelled to Palestine to take part in the Second Crusade from 1101 to 1103, leaving his wife in charge of his territories. As count, Henrique strengthened his military position through the support of the Portuguese nobility, particularly Soeiro Mendes da Maia, established Guimarães as the centre of his seigniorial policy, developed the municipalities of Viseu and Coimbra, recruited local militias and promoted settlement between the Douro and Mondego Rivers. In 1106, he allied with his cousin Raymond of Burgundy in response to Alfonso VI's decision to name Sancho heir to Castile and León, and after Raymond's death in 1107 he travelled to Castile to confront Alfonso VI. Following Sancho's death at Uclés in 1108, Alfonso VI's succession plans undermined Henrique's position, and Henrique was banished and forced to abandon the County of Portugal. He then sought the support of Bernard, Archbishop of Toledo, travelled to Cluny, was arrested and placed under the command of Alfonso I of Aragon, whom he accompanied on a victorious campaign against the Moors in January 1110. Teresa and Urraca secured Henrique's rehabilitation, allowing him to return to rule the County of Portugal. Henrique subsequently intervened in the conflict between Urraca and Alfonso I, seeking to gain advantages from their dispute, while his absence allowed the Almohads to attack the Tagus frontier and occupy Santarém in 1111, after which Henrique was forced to return to Astorga because of his commitments to Urraca against Alfonso I. He died in battle in Astorga the following year. He was born between 1069 and 1072.

Place of death: Astorga, León
Place of burial: Braga Cathedral

Son of Henri of Burgundy (Capet) and an unknown woman, he was married in 1095 to Teresa of Castile, with issue:
• Afonso I (see)