From humble beginnings, in the course of three centuries the Portuguese built the world's first truly global empire, stretching from modern Brazil to sub-Saharan Africa and from India to the East Indies (Indonesia). Portugal had established its present-day borders by 1300 and the following century saw extensive warfare that confirmed Portugal's independence and allowed it to aspire to maritime expansion, sponsored by monarchs such as Prince Henry the Navigator. During this nearly 300-year period, the Portuguese fought alongside other Iberian forces against the Moors of Andalusia; with English help successfully repelled a Castilian invasion (1385); fought the Moors in Morocco, and Africans, the Ottoman Turks, and the Spanish in colonial competition. The colourful and exotic Portuguese forces that prevailed in these battles on land and sea are the subject of this book.

Portugal in the early 14th century - archaic early armies /Modernization under English influence - English alliance in Hundred Years' War - defeat of Spanish invasion /Reconquista of the Muslim south /Expansion in early 15th century: invasion of Morocco - voyages of discovery (Vasco da Gama, etc.) - trading/military expeditions around African coast - in Indian Ocean /Consolidation, mid-15th-16th centuries: merchant colonies - raising of local colonial forces - invasion and colonization of Brazil /Fighting off the competition /Resistance to Spanish pressure, 16th century - metropolitan forces - final loss of independence to Spain, 1580 /Bibliography /Index