Alphonso, a prince of the house of Burgundy, having assumed the title
of king of Portugal, felt that he could not truly be considered
monarch of that country while his capital remained in the hands of
the Saracens. Too weak to undertake the conquest himself, he made a
religious crusade of it, and English and Flemings, who had embarked for
the Holy Land, were induced by the prospect of greater wealth without
going so far to attain it, to take up his cause. The great historian of
the Crusades attributes this dereliction to a religious feeling, which
operated as well in Portugal as in Palestine. We have no hesitation
in agreeing that the Crusaders were acted upon in both countries by
similar motives; in this case, it was too transparent to be possibly
mistaken. The new auxiliaries covered the sea with their vessels, and
blockaded the city, whilst Alphonso besieged it by land with an army
much more brave than numerous. During five months, several assaults
were given and sanguinary battles were fought. Willing to make one last
and great attempt, Alphonso drew up his soldiers in order of battle
before the place, and, making his dispositions for a general attack,
said to them: “Warriors, I am about to lead you to glory; dare to
conquer, and you will triumph. Advance boldly through stones, arrows,
and fire; brave death, and nothing can resist your courage. Hasten, my
friends, hasten to enrich yourselves with the spoils of the Arabs. You,
warriors of the Cross, whom Heaven has sent, God will bless your arms;
noble pay and rich possessions will be the reward of your valour.” He
had scarcely finished speaking, when all the soldiers rushed to the
walls; scrambling over one another up and over the ruins. Alphonso
nobly supported the title of their leader; the besieged vainly opposed
force to force, the Christians drove them in, in all quarters, and
broke down the gate called Alfama. In a moment they were spread through
the city; they massacred all found with arms in their hands, pillaged
the wealth of the infidels, and planted the prince’s standard upon all
the towers. The capture of Lisbon soon rendered Alphonso king of all
Portugal.