From humble beginnings in the course of three centuries the Portuguese built the worlds first truly global empire stretching from modern Brazil to sub-Saharan Africa & from India to the East Indies (Indonesia). Portugal had established its present-day borders by 1300 & the following century saw extensive warfare that confirmed Portugals independence & 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 & Africans the Ottoman Turks & the Spanish in colonial competition. The colourful & exotic Portuguese forces that prevailed in these battles on land & sea are the subject of this book.