It is located in Campo do Trasladário, Vila Arcos Valdevez, district of Viana do Castelo, North region and sub-region of Alto Minho, being the seat of the municipality of Arcos de Valdevez
The so-called Tournament of Arcos de Valdevez, also known as Recontro de Valdevez, Bafordo de Valdevez or Veiga da Matança, is a decisive episode in the History of Portugal linked to the foundation of the nationality
History of the Monument to the Tournament of Arcos de Valdevez
The episode took place in 1140 in the Vale do Vez (tributary of the Lima River) in Arcos de Valdevez, when D. Afonso Henriques, after the victory in the battle of Ourique (1139), broke the peace of Tui (1137) signed with his cousin, Emperor Afonso VII of Leon and Castile, and invaded Galicia conquering some castles under the protectorate of the Leonese monarch.
The imperial forces in greater numbers entered Portucalense lands, razing the castles in their path, descending the Soajo mountains towards Valdevez.
In Arcos de Valdevez, in Campo do Trasladário there is an equestrian monument cast in bronze that recalls the historical episode, designed by the sculptor José Rodrigues, one of the most notable sculptural productions by the artist who disappeared in 2016.
In the spring of 1141, the armies of Afonso Henriques and Afonso VII of Castile and León met in the Vale do Vez, starring in one of the most memorable moments in national history: The Recontro de Valdevez.
The moment ended up being reduced to a “snort”, a kind of medieval tournament representing the dexterity of the knights involved, whose outcome of the fight was accepted by both parties, avoiding unnecessary bloodshed.
Afonso VII's several knights were captured by their enemies and then their leader made peace and obtained the king's benevolence so they could turn against the Muslims who were violently oppressing the south of the territory.
In Valdevez: the two cousins agree to a peaceful coexistence in an intelligent lesson in diplomacy and common sense, the fundamental bases for the beginning of the consolidation of the future kingdom of Portugal and unity in the face of the rapid Arab advance in the South.
The battle was avoided thanks to the cunning and prudence of the Portuguese and the non-aggressiveness of Afonso VII, now willing to make concessions as long as his cousin recognized his imperial authority.
The imperial forces in greater numbers entered Portucalense lands, razing the castles in their path, descending the Soajo mountains towards Valdevez.
In Arcos de Valdevez, in Campo do Trasladário there is an equestrian monument cast in bronze that recalls the historical episode, designed by the sculptor José Rodrigues, one of the most notable sculptural productions by the artist who disappeared in 2016.
In the spring of 1141, the armies of Afonso Henriques and Afonso VII of Castile and León met in the Vale do Vez, starring in one of the most memorable moments in national history: The Recontro de Valdevez.
The moment ended up being reduced to a “snort”, a kind of medieval tournament representing the dexterity of the knights involved, whose outcome of the fight was accepted by both parties, avoiding unnecessary bloodshed.
Afonso VII's several knights were captured by their enemies and then their leader made peace and obtained the king's benevolence so they could turn against the Muslims who were violently oppressing the south of the territory.
In Valdevez: the two cousins agree to a peaceful coexistence in an intelligent lesson in diplomacy and common sense, the fundamental bases for the beginning of the consolidation of the future kingdom of Portugal and unity in the face of the rapid Arab advance in the South.
The battle was avoided thanks to the cunning and prudence of the Portuguese and the non-aggressiveness of Afonso VII, now willing to make concessions as long as his cousin recognized his imperial authority.
Characteristics of the Monument to the Arcos de Valdevez Tournament
The Monument to the Arches Tournament in Valdevez features 2 bronze knights each on top of two granite stones with war equipment such as armor, shield, helmet, sword and on top of horses.
The Arches of Valdevez Tournament or Recontro de Valdevez is one of the defining moments in the process of independence and founding of Portugal.
A Reunion or Bafordo is a type of medieval tournament where knights from both parties involved show their prowess by fighting each other and whose outcome of the fight was normally accepted by both parties, avoiding a pitched battle with losses for both sides.
At the Valdevez Recontro, the best Portuguese knights had a clear advantage and in accordance with the medieval knights' code, several Leonese were detained, leaving Afonso VII in a more vulnerable position.
Afonso VII wanted above all to avoid any possibility of Portugal's growth to the north as he considered Galicia an indispensable part of his empire.
The cousins Afonso Henriques of Portugal and Afonso VII reached an agreement and each returned the conquered castles to each other.
Afonso Henriques takes advantage of the good graces of the church and through Dom João Peculiar, the Archbishop of Braga asks Pope Innocent to accept vassalage for the payment of a census of four ounces of gold per year.
The Archbishop of Braga also arranged for Cardinal Guido de Vico to witness and mediate the meeting and conciliation between Afonso VII and Afonso Henriques to negotiate the treaty of Zamora in 1143.
In this treaty, Afonso VII recognized Portuguese sovereignty, accepting that the Portucalense County would become a Kingdom and that Afonso Henriques would be its King.
Historians consider the Tournament of Arcos de Valdevez as one of the steps towards independence from Portugal that would be consummated in 1143 through the treaty of Zamora and later the papal bull in 1179.
The Arches of Valdevez Tournament or Recontro de Valdevez is one of the defining moments in the process of independence and founding of Portugal.
A Reunion or Bafordo is a type of medieval tournament where knights from both parties involved show their prowess by fighting each other and whose outcome of the fight was normally accepted by both parties, avoiding a pitched battle with losses for both sides.
At the Valdevez Recontro, the best Portuguese knights had a clear advantage and in accordance with the medieval knights' code, several Leonese were detained, leaving Afonso VII in a more vulnerable position.
Afonso VII wanted above all to avoid any possibility of Portugal's growth to the north as he considered Galicia an indispensable part of his empire.
The cousins Afonso Henriques of Portugal and Afonso VII reached an agreement and each returned the conquered castles to each other.
Afonso Henriques takes advantage of the good graces of the church and through Dom João Peculiar, the Archbishop of Braga asks Pope Innocent to accept vassalage for the payment of a census of four ounces of gold per year.
The Archbishop of Braga also arranged for Cardinal Guido de Vico to witness and mediate the meeting and conciliation between Afonso VII and Afonso Henriques to negotiate the treaty of Zamora in 1143.
In this treaty, Afonso VII recognized Portuguese sovereignty, accepting that the Portucalense County would become a Kingdom and that Afonso Henriques would be its King.
Historians consider the Tournament of Arcos de Valdevez as one of the steps towards independence from Portugal that would be consummated in 1143 through the treaty of Zamora and later the papal bull in 1179.
