D.Egas Moniz, The Preceptor

Portuguese rich man, born around 1070, son of Murio Viegas and Ouroana, of the Gascos family, with an important domain in the land of Condado de Entre Douro e Minho. Since the beginning of the 11th century he takes part along with his brothers in the court of the Count D. Henrique de Borgonha.
After D. Afonso Henrique’s father died in 1112, he was sent to the care of Egas Moniz and his wife, Dordia Pais. The future first king of Portugal would have been then three years old.

Around this time Egas Moniz has, by succession, large administrative power in the land of Ribadouro, namely the lands he seized from the Abbey of Santa Maria de Salzedas where it is thought Afonso Henriques was brought up.
The widow of the Count D. Henrique, D. Teresa marries with Fernando Peres de Trava to whom she granted power of ruling. This aggravates the political situation that reaches its climax in the rebellion that brings Infante D. Henrique against his mother and ended in 1128, right after the battle of S. Mamede.
It’s in those trouble times that the legendary deed of the preceptor takes place, pledging his word and honour to the King of Leão, assuring D. Afonso allegiance in exchange of lifting the siege in Guimarães.

D.Egas Miniz was always beside D. Afonso. As a reward, some possessions taken away during the consulate of “de Trava”, were given back and others were offered by the King itself such as the honours of the Land of Tarouca (Lalim and Ribelas). The Paço de Britiande and Dálvares were also his, in the left margin of the river Barosa.

Around 1126 after his wife died he remarried D. Teresa Afonso, daughter of the Count D. Afonso Nunes, an exceptional young woman, future “Meana” (Lady) of the people of Ribadouro, the most praised Portuguese woman of her time.
Egas Moniz died in 1146. His remains rest in the Monastery of Paço de Sousa.