Portugal’s first naval operations marked the beginning of the systematic use of the navy as a military and political instrument.
Since the time of Afonso Henriques, ships and coastal pilots began to play a decisive role in combat, sieges of cities and protection of routes, supporting both offensive actions and the defence of the territory.
These operations paved the way for later great expeditions by developing naval techniques, international cooperation, and strategic experience at sea.
Portugal's Maritime Expansion - First naval operations
1. Initial conquests
Still during the reign of Afonso Henriques, Fuas Roupinho defeated the Moors at Cabo Espichel, sailed along the coast to the Algarve, reached Ceuta, and was defeated and killed in the Strait of Gibraltar.
With the help of a large fleet of crusaders — French, English, German, and Flemish — Lisbon was taken from the Muslims.
The same collaboration occurred in the precarious conquest of Silves during the reign of Sancho I. And when the Algarve was finally obtained under Afonso III, a fleet cooperated in the siege of Faro.
2. Participation in wars
Portuguese ships were again used for military purposes in the first and third wars of King Fernando against Castile, the latter with English cooperation.
3. Systematic maritime expansion
In the following century, with the expedition against Ceuta in 1415, Portugal’s systematic maritime expansion began — a continuous endeavour lasting more than a century, sometimes warlike, sometimes peaceful, but almost always simultaneously characterised by both aspects.
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