In the 16th century, through a series of sudden deaths in the royal family, a three-year old was proclaimed king of Portugal. His name was Sebastian.
Raised by his paternal grandmother and educated by an old army officer and a Jesuit priest, the young man grew up dreaming of a world that no longer existed. If he had served as model for Cervantes (who, by the way, was his contemporary), the resulting D. Quijote would have not been too different. The end of the story might, though.
A screwed up mind, he yearned to prove his military valour against the enemies of the Catholic faith. The vague possibility of armed action anywhere in the world was enough to raise his hopes of participating in such a conflict.
Finally, opportunity knocked at his door when the reigning Moroccan sovereign, Abu Abdallah Mohammed II, was dethroned by his uncle, Abu Marwan Abd al-Malik I, and asked Sebastian for his aid in asserting his rights.
Against the advice of experienced military men, he decided to lead an army into North Africa. Once there, he stubbornly disregarded the strategic plan elaborated by his staff. The result was the tragic battle Ksar El Kebir. That the young wacko died in the battle would have been of little significance, were it not for the fact that his irrationality had disastrous political and financial consequences for his country.
Many lessons could be learnt from this episode. As far as I am concerned, one suffices: beware of religious fanatics.
