The University of Oxford marked the 650th anniversary of the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance with a commemorative lunch
This Thursday, at the Queen’s College of the University of Oxford, a commemorative lunch was held to celebrate the 650th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Tagilde, signed on July 10, 1372 and ratified in London, in November 1372. This treaty led to the Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Alliance signed on June 16, 1373, at S. Paul’s Cathedral in London, which formalized the beginning of the Portuguese-British alliance.
The event, organized by Portugal-UK 650 in partnership with Wines of Portugal and The Queen’s College, included a Masterclass on Portuguese wines guided by the only Portuguese-speaking Master of Wine, Dirceu Vianna Jr, and with the participation of Amanda Lloyd of Taylor’s Port Wine, and Frederico Falcão, President of Wines of Portugal.
This was followed by a lecture by the president of Portugal-UK 650, Maria João Rodrigues de Araújo, on the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance, its relations with the University of Oxford and the role of the wine trade in the Alliance. John Methuen, for example, who gave the name to the Treaty of Methuen, also known as the Treaty of Cloths and Wines between Portugal and the United Kingdom, studied at Edmund Hall, University of Oxford.
This action had a very attentive and participatory audience, made up of Fellows from all the Colleges of the University of Oxford.
It was also possible to attend the Carol Service, which filled the Chapel of The Queen’s College of the University of Oxford, in which Christmas carols were performed by the Queen’s College Choir, conducted by Owen Rees, Professor of Music at the university, specialist in Portuguese and English music of the Renaissance era.
Maria João Rodrigues de Araújo, president of the Portugal-UK 650 initiative, explained that “this event is part of a set of activities that are being promoted by Portugal-UK 650, together with a hundred and sixteen partner institutions, having already been organized around 152 activities in both countries, in the fields of research, education, culture, trade, cooperation, military and social, with the aim of celebrating and making known the history of the Alliance, writing new chapters of friendship, cooperation and trade, develop scientific research about the Alliance and promote the values of the Alliance’s founding Treaty in today’s world”.
“There shall henceforth be between us a true, faithful, constant, mutual and perpetual peace and friendship, union and alliance and league of sincere affection” (Article I, Treaty of Alliance, London 16 June 1373) – calling for the responsibility and commitment of each one. Portugal-UK 650 is the initiative responsible for the commemorations of the 650th anniversary of the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance and has the Patronage of His Majesty, King Charles III and His Excellency the President of the Portuguese Republic. The Queen’s College at the University of Oxford has several historical links with the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance: Queen Catherine of Braganza, daughter of King João IV, the great protagonist of the Restoration, was Patron of the College, where there is a beautiful stained glass window of this Portuguese Princes who became Queen of the United Kingdom on her marriage to King Charles II. Also the founder of the College – Queen Philippa de Hainault – was the wife of King Edward III who started the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance and mother of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, who signed the Treaty of Tagilde with King Fernando of Portugal (1372).
About Portugal-UK 650:
Portugal-UK 650 is the initiative responsible for the commemorations of the 650th anniversary of the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance in Portugal and the United Kingdom.
Awarded with the two highest recognitions of Portugal and the United Kingdom, the High Patronage of His Excellency the President of the Portuguese Republic and the Royal Patronage of His Majesty King Charles III, Portugal-UK 650 intends to celebrate and promote the 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:
”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).
Our long-term desired impact is to contribute to a safer and more fraternal society, with greater knowledge of its historical and cultural heritage, increased international solidarity and a strengthened dialogue, cooperation and friendship between the citizens of both countries
In addition to celebrating the most important dates – the 650th anniversary of the Treaty of Tagilde (July 10, 2022) and the Treaty of London (June 16, 2023) – the commemorations encompass a number of other initiatives, until 2023, in partnership with more than 116 Portuguese and British institutions, in the fields of research, education, culture, commerce, cooperation, military and social matters. To date, around 152 activities have taken place in both countries.
The programme for the celebrations of the 650th anniversary of the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance can be consulted on the https://portugal-uk650.com website, as well as on Portugal-UK 650 social media (Facebook and Instagram).