Spanish invade Portugal
(69 words)
- Editors
Short Note 
A Spanish army under the Duke of Alva invades Portugal to assert
Philip II's claim to the Portuguese throne. They defeat the
supporters of Don Antonio, a rival claimant, at the battle of
Alcantana near Lisbon, and win the throne for Philip. As a result
of this conquest, Spain doubles her colonial empire and improves
her commercial prospects, as the Porguese coastline offers valuable
shipping and harbours for trading.