Gerald+the+Fearless

=__Gerald the Fearless__=

Gerald the Fearless was a Portuguese warrior and folk hero of the Reconquista. In Portugal, he is known as Gerald Sempavor, which means "without fear." The longest lasting of his conquests was in Evora, because it was never retaken. Because of the success and independence that was accomplished from his conquest, he was even compared with El Cid, the Castilian hero. So, Gerald was also known as " the Cid of Portugal " because of his bravery.

In the late 12th century, he fought for the Portuguese, trying to expel the Moors from their land. His military strategy and ability is stuff of legend. He rode around conquering Moorish cities with his private army with such ease that the one of the Spanish territories, the Kingdom of Leon, began to get nervous. These actions were a violation, because Gerald conquered the lands that were assigned to Leon.

One legend that has followed Gerald through history is how easily he reconquered Evora for the Portuguese. One night he rode into Evora, which still belonged to the Moors, on his own. He walked up to the gates and killed the guards. He opened the gates for his men, who quickly took control of the city. He was made governor of Evora, and to this day, the city seal features Gerald with a sword in one hand and two heads in the other.

Gerald continued to wreak havoc on Moorish cities for years. Around 1172, Gerald had a falling out with King Alfonso, so he offered his service to the Moors, just like El Cid, switching sides and fighting against his former king. About a year later, Gerald the Fearless was captured and beheaded. It is said that his head was buried in the spot where two streams, the Geradillo and the Geraldo, both named after him, meet and empty into the Tagus.