University of Oxford marks 650 years of the British-Portuguese Alliance

Despite the gloom of Brexit, which is not proving as smooth and positive for bi-lateral trade as both Portugal and the UK would like, there was one event which showed that both countries have international bonds that are stronger and more enduring than the contemporary headaches of supply chain issues, increased import/export paperwork, inflation, high interest rates, and the general recession afflicting Portugal and the United Kingdom.

I am, of course, referring to the oldest unbroken commercial and diplomatic alliance in the world the Treaty of Windsor and its preparatory agreements known as the Treaty of Tagilde which was signed on July 10, 1372, and ratified in London in November that same year.

To celebrate 650 years of peace, trade and friendship, the University of Oxford held a lunch organised by Portugal-UK 650 in partnership with Wines of Portugal and Queen’s College. The event also was also integrated into a Masterclass on Portuguese wines by the Portuguese speaking Master of Wine, Dirceu Vianna Jr., and included invited participating guests Amanda Lloyd of Taylor’s Port Wine, and Frederico Falcão, President of Wines of Portugal.

The treaty in question being commemorated resulted in the Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Alliance signed by King Edward III of England and King Fernando and Queen Leonor of Portugal on 16 June 1373 in the old St. Paul’s Cathedral (destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666).

It marked the beginning of the English-Portuguese Alliance. This alliance was  renewed  in the Treaty of Windsor of 1386, and in several other treaties throughout the centuries.

The lunch was followed by a lecture chaired by the President of Portugal-UK 650, Maria João Rodrigues de Araújo, about the British-Portuguese Alliance and relations with the University of Oxford and the role of the wine trade in the alliance.

John Methuen, for example, lent his name the Treaty of Methuen which is also known as the treaty of Cloth and Wine between the two countries studied in Edmund Hall at the University of Oxford.

Portugal 650 is patronised by His Majesty King Charles III and His Excellency, the President of the Portuguese Republic, Dr. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.

The aim of Portugal-UK 650 is to celebrate and promote both countries common history; write new chapters of friendship, cooperation and trade;  undertake scientific research on the Alliance, and promote the values of the treaty of Alliance in today’s world – peace, friendship, truth, fidelity, constancy, sincerity, kindness and solidarity in many ways living up to the original intentions set out in the treaty:

“From henceforth there shall be between us true, faithful, constant and perpetual peace and friendship, union and alliance and league of sincere affection” (Article 1, Treaty of Alliance between Portugal and England, 16 June 1373).

As a legacy for the future, which will remain beyond the 2022 celebrations, Portugal-UK 650 wishes to start a leadership development program for young people in the UK and Portugal, that will incorporate the founding values of the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance. To this end, its organising team is planning in partnership with the Oxford Character Project at Oxford University, a program that will continue beyond the celebrations.

Portugal-UK 650 also has the charitable aim to raise funds for a long term project, that helps children in need in Khandamal, Odisha in India, in partnership with ANDI – New Dialogue Organization.

Portugal-UK 650 is based at the University of Oxford and involves several members of the University. Portugal-UK 650 has the support of the civil, military and religious authorities of both countries. Presently, Portugal-UK includes more than 100 participant institutions including authorities and civil society.

Portugal-UK 650 is based at the University of Oxford and involves several members of the University. Portugal-UK 650 has the support of the civil, military and religious authorities of both countries. Presently, Portugal-UK includes more than 100 participant institutions including authorities and civil society.

Today, in a context shaped by Brexit, an Interdisciplinary Conference “The Anglo-Portuguese Alliance: Taking Stock of the Past and Envisioning the Future”, was held at the University of Minho (Braga, Portugal) from 6 to 9 July 2022 to mark the 650th anniversary of the Treaty of Tagilde with a creative space for dialogue and exchange of knowledge among researchers from different areas of knowledge.

The conference aimed to bring about a deeper understanding of the Anglo-Portuguese alliance, its past and present, and reflect on possible future reverberations.
The event was organised by the Research Centre for Justice and Governance and the School of Law of the University of Minho, in association with Portugal-UK 650.

To mark the commemorations which include ongoing educational activities, projects, debates, lectures and events, there was even a celebratory dance as part of the project ‘Dance in Perpetuity’.

This was a collaboration between the English National Ballet and Portugal-UK 650 with the support of Braga City Council.

Dance in Perpetuity was just one of several exciting cultural projects created to celebrate the 650th anniversary of the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance which aim to encourage inter-cultural dialogue, develop participants’ skills, confidence, creativity and cooperation, and promote friendship and collaboration across cultures.