After the disappearance of king Sebastian at Alcácer Quibir (1578), many efforts were made to ransom imprisoned Portuguese soldiers. Several soldiers returned to Portugal, which led many Portuguese to believe Sebastian had survived the battle and would return to claim his throne. This led to Sebastianism: the belief that Sebastian could return at any moment. Sebastian did not have descendants and thus eventually the throne went to his uncle Philip II of Spain, losing Portugal its independence.