Portugal–United Kingdom relations

British-Portuguese relations are foreign relations between Portugal and the United Kingdom.

History

The history of the relationship between Portugal and Britain dates back to the Middle Ages. In 1373, the Kingdom of England signed the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance, the oldest alliance in the world still in force. The alliance was formalised by the Treaty of Windsor in 1386, and in 1387 Philippa of Lancaster, the daughter of John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster, was married to John I of Portugal.

During the late 16th century England found itself fighting against Spain which at this time occupied Portugal. The English Armada was launched as part of this conflict in an attempt to restore Portuguese independence.

A further marriage between the Portuguese and English royal families occurred in 1662 when Charles II of England married Catherine of Braganza, daughter of King John IV of Portugal. In 1703, Portugal joined an alliance of England and the Netherlands in the War of the Spanish Succession against France and Spain. That same year, Portugal and England signed the Methuen Treaty.

The 19th century saw the alliance between Portugal and the United Kingdom come into effect once more when Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Portugal. In 1807 Napoleon attacked Lisbon and the Portuguese royal family fled to Brazil. Calling on the Treaty of Windsor, Britain sent her army to defend Portugal, precipitating the Peninsular War against France in the Iberian Peninsula.

Modern times

Both states share membership of the European Union, NATO and OSCE. There have been several state visits between the nations, including a 2002 visit to the UK by president Jorge Sampaio. Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom has made two state visits to Portugal.

Twinnings

The list below is of British and Portuguese town twinnings.
* Bristol, South West and Porto, Porto
* Barton-upon-Humber, North Lincolnshire and Gondomar, Porto
* Halton, Cheshire and Leiria, Leiria
* Sherborne, Dorset and Sesimbra, Setúbal

ee also

*List of Ambassadors from the United Kingdom to Portugal

References

* [http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029394365&a=KCountryProfile&aid=1019061813652 Country profile of Portugal, Foreign and Commonwealth Office website]