King Denis of Portugal: The Farmer King and the Treaty of Alcañices (1297)

King Denis (r. 1279–1325) earned the title "O Lavrador" (The Farmer King) due to his commitment to agricultural development and economic reforms, which strengthened Portugal’s self-sufficiency and trade networks.

Agricultural Reforms and Rural Development

• Denis ordered the drainage of swamps to increase arable land, improving food production.
• He promoted afforestation, particularly with the planting of pine forests, such as the Pinhal de Leiria, which later provided timber for shipbuilding.
• He implemented land redistribution policies, breaking up large estates and distributing them among peasants, increasing the number of small landowners and reducing feudal concentration of land.

Economic Growth: Fairs, Shipbuilding, and International Trade

• Denis encouraged the expansion of fairs and markets, strengthening internal commerce.
• He actively promoted shipbuilding, laying the foundation for Portugal’s maritime tradition.
• Portugal’s international trade flourished under his rule, with commercial ties established with France, England, Italy, and Flanders, securing economic prosperity and strengthening Portugal’s role in European commerce.

The Treaty of Alcañices (1297): Securing Portugal’s Borders

After years of tension with Castile, Denis achieved a historic diplomatic success by signing the Treaty of Alcañiceswith Ferdinand IV of Castile in 1297.

• This treaty defined the modern borders of Portugal, which have remained virtually unchanged to this day—making Portugal’s borders some of the oldest stable frontiers in Europe.
• Portugal secured its sovereignty, with Castile fully recognizing Portugal’s independence.
• The treaty granted Portugal definitive control over key frontier towns, including Olivença, Campo Maior, and Almeida.
• It also reinforced a mutual alliance between the two kingdoms, ensuring peace and stability.

Legacy of King Denis

Through agricultural development, economic expansion, and diplomatic achievements, King Denis secured Portugal’s stability and prosperity. His policies in land management, trade, and shipbuilding laid the groundwork for Portugal’s later dominance in maritime exploration, while the Treaty of Alcañices ensured territorial security for generations to come.