Portugal got it’s independence from the then Spanish empire of Castile in the 1300s. The Portuguese 24 year old general, Nuno Alvares Pereira put a new King on the Portuguese Throne, chased off the Spanish, and then as a widower, retired to a Carmelite Convent and the religious life of a Friar. He is now recognized as a Saint. So slip on your smoking jacket, fill your pipe, take your first sip of your adult beverage, and sit back in your most comfortable chair. Welcome to todays offering from The Philatelist.
The battle scene on this stamp shows Nuno the young General leading his small force against the Castilians. There were only about 6000 participants in the battle that helped decide Portugal’s future, and about 75% of them were Castilian. Is it any wonder he became a deeply religious man? The rival of Portugal, King John I of Castile later died falling off his horse during a fantasia.
Todays stamp is issue A96, a 5 Centavo stamp issued by Portugal on November 28th, 1928. This was a 52 stamp issue put out in three series over three years remembering independence from Castile. According to the Scott catalog, the stamp is worth 25 cents whether used or unused.
Nuno Alvares Pereira was born in 1360 the illegitimate son of a Portuguese knight. At one year of age, he was legitimized by Royal Decree and that allowed him to receive a knight’s education. This was no doubt one of King Fernando’s better decrees. He joined the Army at age 13 and at age 16 married a wealthy widow.
King Fernando had arraigned the marriage of his daughter Beatrice to be the second wife of King John I of Castile. This was supposed to seal the peace between Portugal and Castile. Unfortunately as King Fernando aged his two sons died leaving Beatrice an obvious heir to the Portuguese Throne. Fernando’s death saw his widow becoming regent and supporting her daughter. Also supporting Beatrice’s claim to the Throne was Castile’s army. Portugal’s nobility divided with many including Nuno supporting Fernando’s brother John’s claim to the Throne. Nuno lead a force of about 1200 to fight the Castilians.
Nuno’s force was far outnumbered but were regular infantry while Castile’s force was mainly lighter, faster cavalry. Nuno devised a strategy of defense against cavalry that was much copied as recently as colonial African bush wars. The infantry would form a series of boxes that could defend itself from any direction. An army’s facing cavalry fear is being surrounded but now that fear could be brought to the cavalry itself. Castile withdrew from the battle after heavy loses and Fernando’s brother John was recognized King of Portugal. Nuno was named the Major Majordomo of the realm. Princess Beatrice, she would say Queen would outlive John of Castile and for the rest of her life schemed for a Portuguese return.
After the death of his beloved wife, Nuno became a Friar at the Carmelite Convent in Lisbon where he had been a patron. He gave up his by now many Earthly titles to be simply Friar Nuno of Saint Mary. Pope Benedict XV Beatified Nuno in 1918. Has formal Canonization happened in 2008 under Benedict XVI. His Saints Day in November 6th for which there is also a feast in his honor by Portuguese Carmelites. He has been on several more Portuguese stamps since this one. Most recently in 2009 celebrating his Canonization.
Well my drink is empty and I will try to remember to hold a feast on November 6th and toast Saint/Friar/General/knight Nuno. Come again soon for another story that can be learned from stamp collecting. First published in 2020.