The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-07.
Alfonso II, king of Portugal
(Alfonso the Fat), 1185–1223, king of Portugal (1211–23), son and successor of Sancho I. His reign was spent in struggles with the church and his brothers and sisters, to whom his father had left many of his estates. Alfonso’s measures against the church holdings and the bishops led to his excommunication (1219). Though he was himself unwarlike, Alfonso’s army took part in the major victory over the Moors at Las Navas de Tolosa (1212) and captured (1217) Alcácer do Sal. He was succeeded by his son Sancho II (reigned 1223–48).
