In late 11th century, Henry of Portugal, a knight and brother of the Duke of Burgundy, went to support the Christians of Hispania.

This gift came with a reinstated title; because of attempts by the previous holder some years earlier to assert independence, it had been suppressed.

Henry died in 1112, and his wife Queen Theresa (Regina Tarasia, as she addressed herself) became the countess of Portugal.

Urraca's son, Alfonso VII, became king of León and Castile and demanded that Theresa become his vassal, which she refused to do.

In fact, he was pressured by the lords of the main Portuguese cities, by the local church, and by its people to achieve the country's independence.

Nobles participating in the battle with Afonso Henriques: The counts that dominated the counties of Portugal and Coimbra kept the idea of independence, and their merger strengthened their positions.

Alfonso VI of León, knowing the wishes of the Portuguese, united all Galicia under a single rule of one lord, which he chose from one of his close relatives.