Rui de Pina
Chronica d'El-Rei D. Affonso III
"Chronica d'El-Rei D. Affonso III" by Rui de Pina is a historical account written in the early 16th century. The work chronicles the reign of D. Affonso III, the fifth king of Portugal, detailing his political maneuvers and military campaigns, particularly focusing on the expansion of his realm and the complexities of his reign marked by marriages and conflicts. The text aims to document the significant contributions of the king to the Portuguese monarchy and the territorial integrity of the nation. At the start of the chronicle, Rui de Pina outlines the circumstances of D. Affonso's ascension to the throne following the death of his brother, King D. Sancho. Affonso, initially titled as the Count of Boulogne, is depicted as a ruler of commendable virtues who reformed policies, improved governance, and undertook military endeavors, notably concerning the Algarve region. The opening chapters discuss his marriages—first to the Countess of Boulogne and later to the daughter of the King of Castile—highlighting the political significance of these unions and how they influenced his rule and the dynamics of power during his reign.