In the months after occupying Portugal, Napoleon undertook the conquest and control of Spain.

The inhabitants may have been related to the Iberians who occupied Spain and Portugal.

Spain's main ambition was the seizure of the Portuguese fleet, and it sent two divisions to help French troops occupy Portugal.

The Romans, who occupied Portugal after this period, for the next 400 years, then built forts with high walls and strong towers to defend their towns.

Another explains how the Almoravids, African Muslims, occupied Spain and Portugal in 1086.

February - Under the pretext of reinforcing the Franco-Spanish army occupying Portugal, French troops begin filing into Spain.

It is so named because the body sitting here refused to recognise Spain's sovereignty during the 60 years that it occupied Portugal.

The French immediately occupied northern Portugal and advanced on Oporto by 24 March.

While occupying northern Portugal, his intrigues earned him the nickname, "King Nicolas."

Aside from his desire to occupy Portugal, his real purpose may have been to introduce large French forces into Spain in order to facilitate its subsequent takeover.