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"Belief, and the Will to Win"
Movimento Patriótico
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Grupo dos Amigos de Olivença
Forum Olivença
OLIVENÇA INTERNATIONAL DISPUTE
TREATY OF ALCANIZES
12 September 1297
Tratado de Alcanizes
Introduction
Without any doubt, in the light of history this is the most important treaty between Portugal and Spain.
The Treaty of Alcanizes was written separately, both in Portuguese and Castilian, in "letters" with various royal seals upon them, offering absolute guarantee of its undisputable authenticity.
Unfortunately, there will be "historians" disposed to raising false claims and inventions who might mislead the ordinary people of both Iberian countries, who still do not know that by the Treaty of Alcanizes Olivença was definitely recognized as part of Portugal, in exchange for Portugal giving up its rights to the lands of Arouche, Aracena and Aiamonte.
Significant Extracts from the Original Document:
"In the name of God, Amen. You may know that as many as shall see this letter, and reading it shall hear, as though it were a contention over towns, boundaries and division, deliberations and agreement between us, Don Ferdinand, by the grace of God King of Castile, and León and Toledo, and Dalgeciras, (etc), on one side, and Dom Diniz by the same grace of God, King of Portugal and the Algarve, on the other,"
"for reasons of these contentions above mentioned, have arisen between us many wars, and misunderstandings...which there brought about great sorrow to God our Lord..."
"to establish peace, the above mentioned King Don Ferdinand with Counsel... and King Dom Diniz with Counsel, for we see the need to come to an agreement, in the manner that follows,"
(1) "...let it be known; that I King Don Fernando with all understanding, and recognizing, that the Castles and Towns of the Lands 'Darronches' (Arouche) and 'Daracena' (Aracena) with all their boundaries, rights and domains, which were the kingdom of Portugal's by right and lordship...taken against your wishes by my grandfather Don Alfonso..."
"...I hand back to you these towns and Castles and within their boundaries, or exchange for them... Olivença and Campo Maior which are close to Badajoz, and São Felizes dos Galegos (near Guarda) with all their boundaries and rights and domains and with all the Lordship and Royal jurisdiction , ... and that your successors by inheritance have possession, and belong within Portugal's dominion forever,"
"Another yes I put into your Lordship and your successors of the Kingdom of Portugal forever the place called Ougela, which is close to Campo Maior."
"and take away from myself and the Lordship of my Kingdoms of Castile, and León, the said places, and all rights that there I might have had,"
"and all this I do that you give up your claims to the towns and castles of Arouche and Aracena and their territories..."
(2) "Other yes, I King Don Fernando understanding and recognizing that you have rights in places and castles of the Towns of Sabugal, Alfaiates, Castelo Rodrigo, Vilar Maior, Castel Bom and Dalmeida, Castel Melhor and Monforte, and other places of Riba-Coa, which you King Diniz hold in your possession...and that you give up the rights that you have over Valença (de Alcantara), and in Ferreira (de Alcantara), in Esparragal... and at Aiamonte and other places in Leon and Galicia."
..."I give up all rights, jurisdiction or Royal possession, mine or my successors of the Kingdom of Castile and Leon, and place it in you and in your successors of the Reign of Portugal for ever.
"These two documents, in Portuguese and in Castilian, will be kept so that we will fulfil forever, and never go against them for me, nor by others, nor law, nor council, and if anyone do so he shall be held a perjuror and a traitor, as someone who would kill the Lord, or betray Castile."
"Chronicle of King Diniz" by Rui de Pina
Translated text from Portuguese into English not to be reproduced in any form without authorization. Copyright. All rights reserved.
Men of Vision
In 1297 two leaders, two men of vision, King Diniz of Portugal and King Ferdinand IV of Castile sought to bring lasting peace and friendship between their people by sitting down together and agreeing to respect each other's rights to lands in dispute. In 2001 let Mr Guterres and Mr Aznar also do the right and honourable thing, and discuss the Olivença dispute and come to an amicable settlement, so that each country can move forward in peace and friendship and prosper together.
Rui A.M. da Silva
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