Manifestis Probatum

is a papal bull and the founding document of Portugal. On 23 May 1179 Pope Alexander III promulgated the bull. The bull officially recognized the independence of Portugal from Leon by confirming the Kingdom of Portugal to, the now recognized, king Afonso Henriques and his successors. The bull is, therefore, the single most important written document from Portugal's independence process.

The Papacy did not at first recognize the legitimacy of Afonso's adoption of the royal title in 1139, instead continuing to regard him as a vassal of the kingdom of León.
On December 13, 1143, Afonso sent to Pope Innocent II the letter , in which he tells him that he has decided to enfeoff Portugal to the Holy See and asks him for protection against any interference in Portugal's territory. On May 1, 1144, Pope Lucius II in his letter replying to Afonso, declared that he recognizes his devotion, but still refers to Portugal as a land and not a kingdom and refers to Afonso as duke of Portugal and not as king, thereby, failling to recognize the kingdom.

The switch in papal policy in 1179 was justified by Afonso's reconquest of lands to the south of the Iberian Peninsula to which no other Christian monarch had claim.

Text

Alexander, Bishop, Servant of the servants of God, to the most beloved son in Christ, Afonso, Illustrious King of the Portuguese, and to his heirs, in perpetuity:



It is manifestly proven that, as a good son and catholic prince, you have rendered innumerable services to your mother, the Holy Church, intrepidly exterminating through hardships and military prowess the enemies of the Christian name and diligently propagating the Christian faith, thereby leaving to generations still unborn a name worthy of memory and an example deserving of imitation. The Apostolic See must love with sincere affection and strive to efficiently attend, in their just petitions, those chosen by the divine Providence for the government and salvation of the people.



We, therefore, because of your qualities of prudence, justice and suitability for government, take you under the protection of Saint Peter and our own, and grant and confirm by apostolic authority to your excellent domain, the Kingdom of Portugal, full honours of kingdom and the dignity that befits kings, as well as all places which, with the help of the Celestial Grace, you have wrested from the hands of the Saracens, and to which your neighbouring Christian princes may not claim any rights.



And so that your devotion and service to Saint Peter, Prince of the Apostles, and to the Holy Roman Church is further aroused, We decide to extend this same concession to your heirs and, with the help of God, We promise to defend it for them, as far as our apostolic magistracy is concerned. Do continue, therefore, to show yourself a beloved son, humble and devoted to the honour and service of your mother, the Holy Roman Church, and to defend Her interests by spreading the Christian faith in such a way that this Apostolic See may take joy in having such a devoted and glorious son whose affection cannot be in doubt.



As tangible representation that said kingdom belongs to Saint Peter, you have determined as a testimony of great reverence to surrender annually two marks of gold to Us and Our successors. You and your successors will endeavour, therefore, to consign to the Archbishop of Braga ''pro tempore'' this census that belongs to Us and Our successors.



We determine accordingly that it is unlawful for any man to brazenly cause any trouble to you or your heirs or your kingdom, or to seize anything that belongs to it or, in the case it has been seized, to keep it, debase it, or cause any torment to it.



If anyone, in future, whether ecclesiastic or secular person, willingly challenges that which has been determined under this Constitution without presenting suitable satisfaction after a second or a third admonition, may they be stripped of the dignity of their honour and power, forelearn that they will be held accountable for their iniquity before the Divine Judgement, and be excluded from the Communion of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, our divine Lord and Redeemer. May the peace of Our Lord Jesus Christ be with all those who respect the rights of this kingdom and their king, so that they may gather the fruit of good works in this world and the reward of eternal peace before the Severe Judge. Amen. Amen.



Peter, Paul, Alexander PP. III

I Alexander, Bishop of the Catholic Church, SS

BENE VALETEhttps://www.catholic.com/encyclopedia/bulls-and-briefs


I Ubaldo Bishop of Ostia SS

I Teodino Bishop of Porto and of Santa Rufina SS

I Peter Bishop of Frascati SS

I Henry Bishop of Albano SS

I Bernardo Bishop of Palestrina SS

I John Cardinal Presbyter of the title of Saints John and Paul and of Pammachius SS

I John Cardinal Presbyter of the title of Saint Anastasia SS

I Johannes Cardinal Presbyter of the title of Saint Mark SS

I Peter Cardinal Presbyter of the title of Saint Susanna SS

I Vibiano Cardinal Presbyter of the title of Saint Stephen on the Caelian Hill SS

I Cinzio Cardinal Presbyter of the title of Saint Cecilia SS

I Hugh Cardinal Presbyter of the title of Saint Clement SS

I Arduino Cardinal Presbyter of the title of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem SS

I Mathieu Cardinal Presbyter of the title of Saint Marcellus SS

I Giacinto Cardinal Deacon of the title of Saint Mary in Cosmedin SS

I Ardicius Cardinal Deacon of the title of Saint Teodoro SS

I Laborante Cardinal Deacon of the title of Santa Maria in Portico SS

I Raniero Cardinal Deacon of the title of San Giorgio in Velabro SS

I Graziano Cardinal Deacon of the title of the Saints Cosmas and Damian SS

I John Cardinal Deacon of the title of Saint Angelo SS

I Ranier Cardinal Deacon of the title of Saint Adrian SS

I Matthaeus Cardinal Deacon of the title of Saint Maria Nova SS

I Bernardo Cardinal Deacon of the title of Saint Nicholas in the Tullian Prison SS


Given at the Lateran, by the hand of Alberto, Cardinal Presbyter and Chancellor of the Holy Roman Church, on the 10th day before the Kalends of June (May 23), in the 11th indiction, the year 1179 of the Incarnation of the Lord and the 20th year of the Pontificate of Pope Alexander III.

See also

*Portugal
*History of Portugal
**Portugal in the Middle Ages
*Timeline of Portuguese history
** Timeline of Portuguese history (First Dynasty)
*Reconquista

Notes

References

External links

in the Arquivo Nacional da Torre do Tombo, National Archive of the Tower of the Tombo
*Philipp Jaffé,
Regesta pontificum Romanorum ab condita Ecclesia ad annum post Christum natum MCXCVIII
', Berlin 1851

{{Portuguese Monarchy Topics

1179 in Europe
12th century in Portugal
1179 works
12th-century papal bulls
Documents of Pope Alexander III
Holy See–Portugal relations