The period of the Chistian Reconquista meant troubled times in the history of Sintra. The area occupied by the Moors was attacked several times. After all, Sintra was vital for the defense and maintenance of the Tagus border. The many fights for the village possession only ended in 1147 when Afonso Henriques, the first Portuguese king, conquered the Moors castle.In 1154, Afonso Henriques grants a charter to Sintra , acknowledging it as a municipality.By those days, Sintra also housed an important community of Jews who had a synagogue and a their own neighbourhood.In order to assure the settlement and defense of the area, King Afonso Henrique and his descendents renovated Moors castle and its defensive walls.Throughout the 12th and 13th centuries agriculture flourished thanks to the many religious and military orders that settled here.During the 14th century Black Death marks the history of Sintra as it happened throughout all Europe. The humid climate creates a friendly environment for the development of the plague. These were dark years in the history of Sintra.