Guimarães Castle and São Mamede
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Transcript
The castle became a central object in Portuguese foundation memory. It protected the settlement associated with Countess Mumadona Dias and later with the counts of Portugal.
Nearby, on 24 June 1128, Afonso Henriques defeated forces associated with his mother Teresa and her Galician allies at the Battle of São Mamede. The victory strengthened his control over the County of Portugal.
Later tradition made the event a national birth certificate. It was more accurately an important political turning point in a longer struggle.
Legend or tradition: Afonso Henriques is widely said to have been born in Guimarães, sometimes specifically in the castle. Official heritage sources themselves note uncertainty, and proposed birth years include 1106, 1109 and 1111.
National founders are apparently difficult clients for registrars.