Battles in Spain & Portugal

 

NB. See also Steven Thomas’s excellent site on Luso-Spanish warfare; “Mediaeval Iberia”, “the battles of Portugal” , “battles of Castille and Leon”,  “The Napoleon Guide”, La GUERRA DE LA INDEPENDENCIA ESPAÑOLA
1808-1814
, and other cited sites, which contain far more detail on these subjects than I am able to record here.

 

Geographical note: LA ALCARRIA denotes a number of valleys to the ESE of Madrid, draining the Serrania de Cuenca hills, and containing several cities including Cuenca, Huete and Brihuega. I have extended this area slightly to include battles fought nearby but outside the valley, but which do not fall for obvious inclusion into neighbouring regions.

 

Assistance gladly received with the battlesites I have been unable so far to locate – presently listed as “unlocated”.

 

PROVINCE

TOWN

DATE YYYY

EVENT

DETAILS

Biscay

All

 

Basque history discussion forum

a range of good articles here, in the Spanish language

Aragon?

 

.019bc

Cantabrian revolt

many of the Cantabrians, having been sold into slavery after their earlier defeat, murdered their masters and returned home. Subdued by Agrippa, who killed almost all those of military age and disarmed the others, the tribe was forced from its strongholds and compelled to live in the plains.

Aragon?

 

.022bc

Cantabrian revolt

“Not many of the Cantabri were taken prisoner, for when they saw they had lost all hope of freedom, they lost all desire to preserve their lives either. Some set fire to their forts and cut their own throats, others willingly remained with their companions and died in the flames, while others took poison in the sight of all”

Aragon?

 

.026-25 BC,

Cantabrian War

fought in the mountains of northern Spain, the first year of the campaign led by Augustus, himself.

Catalonia

 

.042bc?

 

Caesar beats Pompeiian contingents in Hispania, in the opening stages of the Roman Civil War.

Catalonia

Lerida

.049 B.C

Ilerda or Illerda

Fought in the Terra Alta district west of the Ebro River.

La Rioja

Soria

 

.142-133 B.C

Numantia

Numantia was a strongly fortified settlement at the confluence of the Durius (now Douro) River and Merdancho River, in the Iberian Mountains Qnorth of Soria. Founded on the site of earlier settlements by Iberians who penetrated the Celtic highlands about 300 BC, it later formed the centre of Celtiberian resistance to Rome, withstanding repeated attacks. Finally, Scipio Aemilianus (Numantinus) blockaded it (133 BC) by establishing six miles of continuous ramparts around it. After an eight-month siege, Numantia was reduced by hunger, and the survivors capitulated, its destruction ending all serious resistance to Rome in Celtiberia.

Portugal

 

.147 BC

Lusitanian War

A horseback guerilla resistance succeeded eventually in ambushing 10,000 Romans.

La Rioja

Soria

.153 bc

Numantia

Romans brought elephants up against the city wall – they became frightened and turned upon their masters.

Aragon

 

.153 BC

Segeda

Celtiberians ambushed 30,000 Romans and killed 6000

Andalusia

Seville

.206 B.C

Ilipa

In spite of his numerical inferiority, Scipio marched his army west to meet the Carthaginians and came upon them near Ilipa (modern Alcalá del Río). Victory was won by brilliant tactics made possible by Scipio's recent reforms and training.

Murcia

Cartagena

.209 B.C

New Carthage

 

Andalusia

Cordoba

.211 BC

Castulo

Masinissa arrived at the scene in the early morning to begin harrying the Roman flanks. A short while thereafter the armies of Mago and Gisgo showed up to seal the fate of the Romans. Publius' men strove valiantly for a time, and Publius even led a desperate charge, seeking to break through the cordon of Carthaginian troops. But when he was slain the Romans lost heart and took to flight. Few of the fugitives escaped the notice of the roving Numidians. Only the eventual fall of night allowed a handful of survivors to escape.

Andalusia

Granada

.211 BC

ilorca or Illora

Caught by surprise on a hill WNW of present day Granada, Gnaeus had his men erect a palisade of baggage, saddles and other gear. When the armies of Hasdrubal, Mago and Gisgo arrived they were bemused to see the improvised fort. Once the attack began the unusual barricade was quickly pulled down and a grim slaughter commenced.

Murcia

Cartagena?

.219-218 B.C

Saguntum

 

All

 

.264 – 19BC

Punic Wars & Roman conquest of Iberia

The Romans fought two wars against the Carthaginians from North Africa to clear them from Iberia, their main colony being Cartago Nova (Cartagena in Murcia) with its fine harbour. Rome then required 20 years to conquer Hispania completely.

All

 

0711

Muslim conquest of Iberia

The First Phase Of Islam Saw A Very Rapid Arab Expansion Across North Africa And, By Way Of The Straits Of Gibraltar, into Europe: the Moslems were stopped only in France. They left pockets of Christianity in the north of Iberia.

Andalusia

Cadiz

0711

Rio Barbate

In the spring of 711, Tariq marched northward from Gibraltar with 12,000 Muslims. At the salt marshes of the Rio Barbate, on the Cadiz road, the invaders crushed the hastily gathered forces of Spain's Visigoth king, Roderic. Whole units deserted, and the Christian army crumbled. King Roderic was slain; his body was never recovered.

Andalusia

Cordova

0711

Cordova

“When Tarik landed, soldiers from Cordova came to meet him; and seeing the small number of his companions they despised him on that account. They then fought. The battle with Tarik was severe. They were routed, and he did not cease from the slaughter of them till they reached the town of Cordova”

Andalusia

Cordova

0711

Shedunia

“When Roderic heard of the fate of Cordova, he came to their rescue from Toledo. They then fought in a place of the name of Shedunia, in a valley which is called this day the valley of Umm-Hakim [on July 11, 711, at the mouth of the Barbate river]. They fought a severe battle; but God, mighty and great, killed Roderic and his companions"

All

 

0718 – 1492

La Reconquista

The Christians gradually re-asserted themselves from their mountain bases in the North, culminating in the reconquest of Granada in 1492, the same year Columbus set sail for the Indies.

Asturias

Covadonga

0718 or 722

Alcama

Historians symbolically attribute the defeat of a Moorish army at the Battle of Covadonga to a Christian Visigothic noble, Pelayo. Whatever really happened at Covadonga, it is certain that Pelayo gains fame and is elected King of Asturias

Biscay

San Sebastian

 

0778

Roncesvalles

Charlemagne attempts to conquer Spain. He penetrates as far as Zaragoza when he is called back to France (not by his mother). On the return trip, his rear guard (including his great captain, Roland) is attacked and killed by Basque troops.

Castile

 

0844

Clavijo

 

Castile

 

0844 – 1521

Battles of Castile and Leon

 

Leon

 

0844 – 1521

Battles of Castile and Leon

 

Castile

 

0846?

Albelda

 

Castile

 

0866

La Morcuera

 

Leon

 

0870 or 0888

PaduraArrigorriaga

Possibly imaginary battle between on the one side the

Basques, commanded by Lope Fortún, first lord of Biscay and Sancho de Estigiz, lord of Durango, and on the other prince Ordoño, son of the king Alfonso "el Magno" of Leon. Arrigorriaga means the "Place of red stones" in the Basque language.

Castile

 

0878

Polvoraria

 

Leon

 

0917

S. Esteban de Gormaz

The Leonese king, Ordoño II, defeats the Moslem armies of Caliph Abd el-Rahman III.

Castile

 

0918

Talavera

 

Leon

 

0920

Valdejunquera

The troops of Abd el-Rahman III defeat the Leonese & Navarrese.

Castile

 

0933

Osma

The Castilian-Leonese troops, commanded by the count Fernán González, defeat again the troops of Abd el-Rahman III.

Leon

Valladolid

0939

Simancas

The new king of Leon, Ramiro II, defeats Abd el-Rahman III.

Leon

Zamora

0939

Zamora

 

Castile

 

0974

Deza

Count García Fernández of Castile defeat the Moors of general Galib.

Castile

 

0981

Medinaceli

Al-Mansur (Almanzor) defeats and kills the rebel general Galib, and his ally, García Fernández of Castile.

Leon

 

0981

Rueda

The Moorish leader Al-Mansur (Almanzor) defeats king Ramiro III of León.

Leon

 

0982

Portela

Battle between two pretenders to the throne of León, Ramiro (III) and Vermudo (II).

Catalonia

Cervera

1000

Cervera

Moslems defeat the first army assembled by the united Christian kingdoms of Spain.

Leon

 

1002

Calatañazor

A coalition of Christians, led by Vermudo II of León, defeats the armies of Al-Mansur, who dies a few days later.

Andalusia

Malaga

1010

River Guadiaro

The Catalan army defeats Sulayman's Berbers again, in June, near Ronda in the hills

Unlocated

 

1010 

Aqabat al-Baqar

"The year of the Catalans" Having fled to Toledo Muhammad II seeks the aid of the counts of Barcelona (Ramón Borrell) and Urgel. The Catalan army defeats Sulayman's Berbers

Leon

 

1016

 

Norman raiders ascend the Rio Miño/Minho and destroy Tuy in León

Castile

 

1037

Tamarón

1037 -. The first Castilian king, Fernando I, defeats, and kills his father-in-law, the Leonese Vermudo III, heiring his kingdom.

Leon

 

1037 

 

Támara or Tamarón

The first Castilian king, Ferdinand I, defeats and kills his father-in-law, Vermudo III of León, thus inheriting his kingdom.

Castile, Old

Burgos

1054 

Atapuerca

The army of Ferdinand I of Castile defeats that of  his brother García IV of Navarra at Atapuerca 12 miles to the east of Burgos (1 Sep).  Several disaffected Navarrese knights join the Castilians before the battle and one of these men is believed to have killed Garcia.  Garcia's son Sancho is proclaimed King on the field of battle and the war continues.

Catalonia

Tortosa

1060

Tortosa

Emir Al-Muktadir ibn Hud of Zaragoza drives Slavs from Tortosa when the Tortosans rise against their Slav ruler

Aragon

Saragossa

1063

Graus

During the spring Ramiro I of Aragon besieges Muslim Graus in Zaragozan territory.  The Emir Al-Muktadir of Zaragoza leads his army north accompanied by a Castilian contingent under Prince Sancho (the future Sancho II).  Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar (later known as "El Cid") is probably in the Castilian contingent.  The opposing armies meet and after a protracted struggle Ramiro I is killed and the Aragonese flee (8 May).

Unlocated

 

1067

Viana

War of the three Sanchos: Castile versus Aragon and Navarre. Aragon severely mauls the Castilians at Viana, however status quo is restored when the Zaragozan Vali of Huesca invades Aragon from the south.

Castile, Old

 

1068

Llantada

On the plain of Llantada, Sancho of Castile, with El Cid at the head of the army, routed the army of Leon. Sancho and his brother Alfonso of Leon had agreed that the battle would decide everything and the winner would take the other's kingdom, but Alfonso changed his mind and fled into Leon.

Leon, and Old Castile

 

1068 

 

Llantada

The Battle of Llantada was arranged to be fought on 19 July by the banks of the Pisuerga River on the boundary between León and Castile. The Castilians under Sancho II and Rodriego Diaz defeat the Leónese and Alfonso flees.

Portugal

Oporto

1071 

 

Braga

Battle of Braga (18 Jan between Braga and the River Cávado) where Garcia of Galicia suppresses  the rebellion of his Portuguese subjects under Nuno Mendes (Livermore, 1966; Menéndez, 1934). Nuno Mendes is killed.

Castile, New

Toledo

1072 

 

Golpejera

(early Jan) Sancho II of Castile defeats his brother, Alfonso VI of León over the Carrión River (9 miles south of the city of Santa Maria de Carrion - the capital of the Beni-Gomez - Christian counts of Saldaña, Liebana, Carrion, and Zamora). The battle starts at dawn and after a hard fight the Castilians are driven from the field.  Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar manages to encourage both King and army, and leads them in a new attack the following morning.  Alfonso is captured and seeks refuge in Toledo. But Sancho is then assassinated when attacking Alfonso's men in Zamora.  Alfonso inherits the joint Kingdom of Leon-Castile.

Andalusia

Granada

1079

Cabra

West of Granada, Rodrigo Díaz defeats King Abd Allah of Granada, who was helped by the Castilian Count García Ordíñez.

Extremadura

Plasencia

1079

Coria

Alfonso VI (now king of Castile & León, after the death of Sancho) defeats the Muslim king of Badajoz, Al-Mutawakkil.

Valencia

 

1081

Alcocer

Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, now serving Al-Mutamin of Zaragoza, For almost four months he lies encamped on that little plain until he provoked Abu Bakr of Valencia into an attack which ended with the latter's defeat.

Aragon?

 

1082

Almenar

Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, defeats a combined army of the kings of Valencia (Abu Bakr), Lleida (Al-Hayib), Aragón (Sancho Ramírez) and the Count of Barcelona (Berenguer Ramón II).

Valencia

Valencia

1084

Olocau

NW of Valencia, Rodrigo Díaz defeats Al-Hayib and Sancho Ramírez.

Castile, New

Toledo

1085

Toledo

 

Extremadura

Badajoz

1086

Zallaka

The Almoravids, a Purita nical Berber sect,  were called into Spain by the Abbasids to help in the defense against the Christians. Their manoeuvrability enabled the defeat of the larger Castilian army of Alfonso at Zallaka (1086) and they proceeded to annex Moorish Spain, with the exception of Toledo and Saragossa.

Catalonia?

 

1090

Tébar

Rodrigo Díaz defeats the Count of Barcelona, Berenger Ramon II.

Andalusia

 

1091

Almodóvar del Río.

Yusuf returns to Spain and defeats the Castilian army, commanded by Alvar Yáñez, which tried to help the Muslim kings of southern Spain.

Aragon

Huesca

1091

Alcaraz

The new king of Aragon, Pedro I, defeats the king of Zaragoza, Al-Mustain, and conquers the city of Huesca. Castilian Counts García Ordóñez and Gonzalo Núñez fought with the king of Zaragoza. It is probable that El Cid fought in the Aragonese side.

Valencia

 

1094

Valencia

The Almoravid Yusuf brought a huge army after Rodrigo El Cid, onto the plain of Valencia. On the night of Oct. 25, 1094, Rodrigo's forces moved out. Parties of knights hid in the ravines around the Moorish camp, and at dawn Rodrigo's main force was on the plain, facing the Moors. Yusuf's army charged, Rodrigo's retreated, and the rest of the Castilians charged down from the ravines. The Moors broke and tried to run, and the Christians rode into them, routing them.

Aragon

Huesca

1096

Huesca

 

Valencia

 

1096

Valencia

Late in 1096 Rodrigo took an expedition to secure his outer fortresses and met a Moorish army of 30,000. He maneuvered to catch them in a narrow place and again won a great battle.

Castile

 

1097

Consuegra

The Almoravids (Muhammad ben AlHach) defeat the Castilian-Leonese armies (Alfonso VI). The son of Rodrigo Díaz (Diego Rodríguez) dies in the battle.

La Alcarria

Cuenca

1097

Cuenca

A second army under the command of Yusuf's son, Ibn-Aisa, the governor of Murcia, attacked the eastern end of the Christian line in the Cuenca district and there defeated Alvar Fáñez.

Valencia

Valencia

1097

Bailén

The unstoppable Almoravids decide to attack Valencia again, but Rodrigo Díaz and his ally, Pedro I of Aragón make a pre-emptive strike from Valencia and find the Moslems unprepared (they tought El Cid was going to wait for them inside the walls of Valencia).

Valencia

Valencia?

1102

Cullera

Alfonso VI goes to help Valencia, besieged by Almoravids. The battle ends in a draw.

La Alcarria

Cuenca

1108

Uclés

The Almoravids defeat the Castilian-Leonese armies. The heir to the throne (Sancho) dies at the battle, and the local cities of Consuegra, Cuenca, Ocaña and Hueste fall to the Moslems. The linked text is in Spanish.

Castile

 

1111

Campo de la Espina, or Candespina.

The king of Aragon, Alfonso I "the battler", and the count Enrique of Portugal, defeat the Castilian Queen Urraca (wife of Alfonso I). The defeat turns into a victory when Enrique turns against his ally after the battle.

Castile?

 

1111

Viadangos

A Galeg (Galician) army, commanded by Count Pedro Froilaz and Bishop Gelmírez is ambushed and defeated by Alfonso of Aragón. The greatest prize (the young king Alfonso) escaped the victor: seeing the battle turning into a rout, Bishop Gelmírez fled, and delivered him safely to his mother Urraca in Galicia.

Extremadura?

 

1112

Astorga

The Count of Portugal changes sides to assure his client of victory in a Castilian war of succession

Andalusia

Cordoba

1115

Baeza

The lord of Ávila defeats the Moors of Ibn-Idhâri, east of Jaen at the head of the Guadalquivir valley.

Aragon

Saragossa

1118

Saragossa

 

Portugal

 

1128

Sao Memede

 

Castile, Old

Segovia

1132

Lucena

Militas of Segovia & Ávila defeat an Almoravid army, under the command of prince Tâshfin.

Galicia

 

1135

Cerneja

D. Alfonso Enriquez defeats Count Fernando Pérez de Trava and Rodrigo Vela. Four years later he would become King of Portugal.

Portugal

 

1139

Ourique

the victory of Count Alfonso I of Portugal over the Moors

Portugal

Lisbon

1147

Lisbon

 

Portugal

Santarem

1147

Santarem

 

Castile

 

114x

Montiel

After a raid into Muslim Spain, Munio Alfonso is intercepted by a Moorish army, but manages to defeat them.

Portugal

 

1158

Alcacer do Sal

 

Leon

Salamanca

1162

Valmuza

-. King Fernando II of León defeats the militias of Salamanca, who tried to destroy the new built fortifications of Ciudad Rodrigo.

La Alcarria

Cuenca

1164

Huete

Battle between the families Castro and Lara for the regency of Castile, during the childhood of Alfonso VIII.

Castile, Old

Ávila

1173

Caracuel

After a raid into Muslim Spain, militias of Ávila, commanded by Sancho Jimeno "the Hunchback" (known in Muslim chronicles as "Abú Bardaca", "the Packsaddler") are intercepted and defeated by an Almohad army. Sancho Jimeno is killed in the battle.

Leon

Tierra de Campos

1179

Castejón

-. The Leonese defeat the Castilians, recovering the control of Tierra de Campos.

Portugal

Algarve

1189

Silves

 

Extremadura

Badajoz

1195

Badajoz

Castilian King Alfonso VIII (1158-1214) challenges Almohad emperor Yacub to battle. It ends in the defeat of the Christian army at Badajoz.

Portugal

 

1195

Alarcos

 

Andalusia

 

1212

Las Navas de Tolosa

The Christian armies of León, Castile, Navarre and Aragon defeat the Almohads in the decisive Battle of Navas de Tolosa, a mountain pass that guaranteed Christian forces passage into Southern Spain. The great defeat marked the beginning of the downfall of the Almohades, the last Muslim dinasty that ruled southern Spain and North Africa

Portugal

 

1217

Alcacer do Sal

Campaigns of Sancho

La Alcarria

Cuenca?

1225

Aspe

A Castilian army (militias of Cuenca, Huete, Moya & Alarcón), under the command of Alfonso Téllez and the bishop of Cuenca defeats the Muslim kings of Seville & Murcia (Ali Ibn-Aarki).

Andalusia

Cadiz

1231

Jerez

-. Don Alvar Pérez de Castro defeats a Moorish army of the king Aben-Hut.

Andalusia?

Cordoba

1236

Cordovo

 

Castile?

 

1255

Lebrija

A rebel army, commanded by the prince Enrique (brother of the king Alphonse X) is defeated by Royal troops, under the command of Nuño González de Lara & Rodrigo Alfonso.

Andalusia

Toledo

1275

Martos

- The same Abu Yusuf defeats and kills the Archbishop of Toledo, Sancho de Aragón.

Castile?

 

1275

Ecija

- Merinid invaders, under the command of Abu Yusuf, defeat the Castilian army of Nuño de Lara (the winner of Lebrija), who dies in the battle.

Andalusia

Granada

1319

Granada

Prince Pedro conducts his second attack against Granada. His troops are surprised by a well-prepared king, Ismail. He destroys their army and the prince dies.

Portuguese waters

Algarve waters

1327

Cape Saint Vincent I

 

Navarre

Pamplona

1335

Tudela

A Navarrian-Aragonese army plans to invade Castile. They are forestalled and defeated on the Ebro by Martín Fernández de Portocarrero

Andalusia

Seville

1337

Villanueva de Barcarrota

-. An army of Castilian noblemen & militias of Seville defeats a Portuguese invasion (Pedro Alonso de Sousa).

Andalusia

Granada

1340

Salado

-. In the final battle against Merinids, Alfonso XI of Castile & Leon, helped by the Portuguese Afonso IV, defeats their last invasion. Merinids were leaded by the king of Fez Abdul Hassan, and helped by the King of Granada.

Gibraltarian waters

 

1344

Algeciras

Moorish fleet defeated near Gibraltar

Biscay

 

1355

Gordejuela & Ochandiano

King Peter I orders the prince Juan de Aragón to fight the rebel Lord of Biscay, Tello (half-brother of the king). He is defeated by the Basques (Juan de Avendaño) in a couple of battles.

Andalusia

Seville

1357

Trigueros

-. The rebel Juan de la Cerda is defeated by the town milita of Seville, under the command of Juan Ponce de León & Gil Bocanegra.

Castile

 

1359

Araviana

-. Henry of Trastámara, half brother of the Castilian king Peter I "the cruel" invades Castile and defeats the royal troops.

Castile

 

1360

Nájera (1st battle).

- After an uncertain battle, Henry leaves Castile, looking for refugee in France.

Aragón

Saragossa

1362

Catalayud

King Peter I starts his great offensive inside the territory of Aragón, down the Jalon tributary to the Ebro

Aragón?

Murviedro

1364

Alcublas

-. The Master of Alcántara, sent to help the Castilian garrison of, is defeated and killed.

Castile

 

1367

Nájera (2nd battle).

- Henry of Trastámara (now, king Henry II of Castile) is defeated by the English Black Prince. Peter returns to the power, while Henry refugees once more in France.

Castile

 

1369

Montiel

-. Final victory of Henry II over his brother, who is killed in the following days.

Portuguese waters

 

1381

Naval battle of Saltes

 

Portugal

 

1384

Atoleiros

 

Portugal

 

1385

Valverde

 

Portugal

 

1385

Trancoso

 

Portugal

 

1385

Aljubarrota

Definitive victory of Portugal over the Castilians

Andalusia

Granada

1406

Quesada/Los Collejares

Indecisive battle between Castilians (Pedro Manrique) and Granadians (Mohammed VII).

Andalusia

Granada

1410

Antequera

-. The regent of Castile & León (future king of Aragon), Fernando de Trastámara, defeats the king of Granada, Mohammed VII. After that, he will be known as Fernando "de Antequera".

Andalusia

Granada

1419

La Higueruela

-. The constable of Castile, Alvaro de Luna, defeats the Granadian army.

Portugal

 

1449

Alfarrobeira

 

Portugal

 

1459

Alcacer Ceguer

 

Portugal

 

1476

Toro

 

Las Canarias

Gran Canaria

1478

Guiniguada

Castilians finally conquer the island of Gran Canaria

Extremadura

Badajoz

1479

Albuera

Portuguese claim the throne of Castile, but are defeated.

Andalusia

Granada

1482

Alhama de Granada

Against the Moslems, in the hills to the west of the city

Andalusia

Granada

1483

Ajarquía/Axarquía.

- The (future) king of Granada, Mohammed "el Zagal" defeats the Castilians.

Andalusia

Granada

1485

Moclín

-. Mohammed "el Zagal" defeats again the Castilians.

Andalusia

Granada

1486

Loja

One of the final battles of the Reconquista, WSW of Granada

Andalusia

Málaga

1487

Málaga

 

Andalusia

Granada

1489

Baza

NE of Granada, and against the Moslems of that city.

Andalusia

Granada

1491 – 2

Campaign against  Granada

Leading to the final reconquest of Spain from the Moslems

Las Canarias

Tenerife

1495

Peñuelas and Acentejo

-. Castilians conquer the island of Tenerife (Canary islands) from the native Guanches, who have fought a tenacious guerilla war

Castile

 

1521

Villalar

The army of the "comuneros" rebels in Castile is defeated by the royalist army.

Navarre

Pamplona

1521

Noain

In May a Franco-Navarrese army under André de Foix, Lord of Asparrós and Count of Foix, penetrates Navarre and reconquers the kingdom for Enrique de Albret.  It continues towards Castile and surrounds Logroño, capital of La Rioja. Castilian troops then rally on behalf of the Emperor Charles, and Asparrós is forced to flee and take refuge in the Mountain range of the Pardon. 30,000 Imperial troops occupy the river basin of Pamplona, closing off the retreat of the French army. Asparrós decided to fight and appeared in Noain on 30 June 1521.  In the beginning the Navarrese-French artillery dominated the field, but the Admiral of Castile and Duke of Enriquez with his cavalry turned the combat, and the Castilian infantry decided it.  The Navarrese had to surrender, after suffering more than 5,000 losses. Asparrós was released by the Emperor after paying a ransom.  This battle gave possession of Navarre to the Castilians, who quickly seized all the strongpoints. Don Juan II Albret and Doña Catherine, the last kings of the Navarrese monarchy, took refuge on the other side of the Pyrenees, and would never return.

All

 

1525 - 1704

The Spanish “Tercios

The Spanish “Tercios were innovative and elite military units which played a large role in warfare across the whole of Europe as well as in the Peninsula.

Andalusia

Malaga

1580

Alcántara

 

Andalusia

Cadiz

1587

Cadiz

The English privateer Sir Francis Drake “singed the King of Spain’s beard” with his audacious naval raid on the treasure port.

Extremadura

All

1640-68

“War of Portugal”

 

Portugal

 

1640-68

“War of Portugal”

 

Catalonia

 

1640s

Catalan Revolt

…with French aid

Extremadura

Badajoz

1644

Montijo

To the east of Badajoz, the Portuguese were forced to retreat when their left caved in in the face of Spanish tercios and cavalry. The Spaniards were distracted with baggage looting, permitting the Portuguese to rally and retire over the border in good order.

La Alcarria

Brihuega

1665

Villa Viciosa I

 

All waters

 

1701 - 1805

Naval battles fought by the English in Spanish waters

Many battles were fought off the coast of Iberia, which was the gateway to the Mediterranean but also the point of departure for many transatlantic voyages to the rich lands of the West Indies and the Americas.

Galician waters

Vigo

1702

Naval battle of Rande/Vigo Bay

A Franco-Spanish bullion fleet met an Anglo-Dutch fleet at the end of the Vigo Estuary (Rande area) with 28 boats sank as a result. The English took four million 'pesos' together with thirteen ships. There were 2,000 Hispanic-French and 800 Anglo-Dutch casualties, 26 ships lost, and 3,000 injured.

All

 

1702-14

War of the Spanish Succession

The powerful Bourbon dynasty of France and Spain were resisted by an alliance of their neighbours which included Austria, England, Portugal and Piedmont – Savoy. A good paper source: Francis, A.D.: “The First Peninsular War 1700-1713” London 1975

Andalusian waters

Gibraltar

1704

Naval battle off Marbella

 

Andalusian waters

Málaga

1704

Naval battle off Málaga

13 August 1704

Gibraltar

Gibraltar

1704

Gibraltar

 

Catalonia

Barcelona

1705

Barcelona

The Catalan capital captured by the Allies with strong popular support. The Prince of Darmstadt killed in the fighting.

Extremadura

Badajoz

1705

Albuquerque

North of Badajoz

Valencia

Valencia

1705 - 6

Skirmishes around Valencia de Alcantara

The Allies, supplied by the British fleet, sought to defend and expand from their base at Valencia city.

Balearic islands

Majorca

1706

Majorca

25 May 1706

Castile

Madrid

1706

Madrid

Madrid fell briefly to the Anglo-Portuguese Allies, but they were then cut off by a popular anti-Portuguese uprising, and had to evacuate.

Valencia

 

Castellon

1706

San Mateo

A fight over this strategic town between the Allied strongholds of Catalonia and Valencia

Valencia

Valencia

1707

Pass of Almansa

A contest for the strategic pass between Albacete and the coastal ports of Valencia and Alicante, on 25 Apr 1707. A Franco-Spanish army of 25,400 (Marshal Berwick) defeats an Anglo-Portuguese army of 15,500 (Earl of Galway; Das Minas). The Portuguese horse are swept away, but the Allied infantry fight stubbornly.

Balearic islands

Minorca

1708

Mahon

The British Secured The Best Fortified Harbour In The Islands, As A Base For Their Western Mediterranean fleet.

Murcian waters

Cartagena

1708

Naval battle of Cartagena

28 May 1708

Portugal

 

1709 

Val Gudina

In April, the Franco-Spanish defeat the Anglo-Portuguese

Extremadura

Badajoz

1709

Gaia or La Caya

On May 7th 1709 the Anglo-Portuguese army, under command of the Marquis de Frontera, lay on the side of the Caya west of Badajoz, and the army of the Duke of Anjou, commanded by the Marquis de Bay, on the other. De Bay made a motion with the whole body of his horse toward Fort St. Christopher, near Badajoz. The Portuguese crossed the river to oppose the designs of the enemy, although a defensive posture would have sufficed. A detachment of foot and artillery, and the whole of the horse, passed the river and commenced to bombard the enemy. De Bay advanced with his horse and attacked the right wing of the Portuguese cavalry, who fled. But their foot repulsed three successive charges, with great order and resolution. Pearce’s British brigade then attacked giving the Portuguese infantry time to retire in good order, behind the river. But Pearce’s brigade was surrounded by the enemy, and three regiments had to surrender.

Aragon

Saragossa

1710

Saragossa

Following up the previous victory of Almenara, James Earl of Stanhope defeats a Franco-Spanish force of 20,000 under De Bay, taking 5,000 prisoners and 36 guns

La Alcarria

Brihuega

1710

Villa Viciosa II

11 Dec 1710 Vendome defeats Guido von Starhemberg and the British main body, taking 2,000 prisoners and 22 guns. The battle is hard fought with heavy casualties on both sides. Starhemberg manages to keep his army together and continue the retreat.  

La Alcarria

Guadalajara

1710

Brihuega I

The Allies are surrounded, isolated and defeated by the Franco-Spanish.

Catalonia

Lerida

1710

Almenara

The Bourbon Philip V of Spain had 22,000 on the Rio Segre inland from the Catalonian coast, while Stanhope and Starhemberg had 18,000 men. Stanhope crossed the Segre at Balaguer (north of Lerida) marching to the bridge of Alfarras, crossing it on 27 July. Both armies then met at Almenara, a few kilometers from the bridge, where the Allies inflicted a defeat, the French retreating to Saragossa.

Catalonia

All

1718-1721

Catalonian Civil War

Taking advantage of an invasion, Catalonian patriots loot and set fire to the properties of Castilians

Galician waters

Finisterre

1747

1st Battle of Cape Finisterre

3 May 1747

 

Galician waters

Finisterre

1747

2nd Battle of Cape Finisterre

14 October

Balearic islands

Minorca

1756

Minorca

20 May 1756 Battle of Minorca: this may be the occasion of the shooting of the infamous British Admiral, Byng

Portugal

 

1762

Portuguese campaign

 

Portuguese Waters

Algarve waters

1780

Cape St. Vincent II

16 January 1780 (The Moonlight Battle)

Balearic islands

Minorca

1782

Minorca

During the European operations of the American Independence War

Gibraltar

Gibraltar

1782

Gibraltar

Sep. - Oct. 1782 The Great Attack on Gibraltar During the European operations of the American Independence War

Galician waters

Ferrol

1805

Cape Finisterre

Prior to the great battle at Trafalgar, French Admiral Villeneuve encountered Calder’s British squadron of 15 battleships on 22nd of July. They fought an abortive action in poor visibility. Calder captured two French ships, and several of the British ships were damaged. Calder failed to press home the action, for which he was severely criticized.

Gibraltarian waters

 

1805

Cape Trafalgar

Lord Nelson’s greatest and final battle – he split the Franco-Spanish line but died from a musket wound which struck him on deck.

Andalusia

Cordoba

1808

Batalla de Bailén

19 de Julio de 1808, north of Jaen

Cantabria

Santander

1808

Batalla de Espinosa

Espinosa de las Monteros, 10 de Noviembre de 1808, around the towns of Quintana and Reinosa, on the Trueba river.

Castile, Old?

Burgos?

1808

Batalla de Gamonal o de Burgos

10 de Noviembre, in the valleys of Piso and Arlanzon

Catalonia

Barcelona

1808

Batalla de Llinás o de Cardedeu

16 de Diciembre de 1808, near Sarria, Gerona and the Besós river

Catalonia

Barcelona

1808

Batalla de Molins de Rey

21st December. French general Saint-Cyr, with about 40,000 infantry and 3000 cavalry, overturned a Spanish position

in front of Barcelona whose right was at Molins de Rey, center in San Feliú, and left in Cornellá.  Failure to sieze a key bridge at the crucial moment prevented the complete envelopment of the Spaniards, who numbered only half of the French, but this did not prevent the Spanish commander being sentenced to death for his failure!!

Leon

Valladolid

1808

Batalla de Rioseco

Medina de Rioseco, 14 de Julio de 1808

Navarre

Tudela

1808

Batalla de Tudela

23 de Noviembre de 1808

Portugal

Obidos

1808

Rolica

The French occupied hills blocking Wellington’s route south to Lisbon, and were duly assaulted.

Portugal

Lisbon

1808

Vimiero

Junot failed in his attempt to break the Lines of Torres Vedras, and agreed a deal whereby his troops were ferried back to France in British ships!!

Andalusia

Cordoba

1808?

Jaen

A French division surrendered to Spanish regulars and guerillas who had encircled them in the hills to the east of Cordoba halfway to Granada

All

 

1808-14

La GUERRA DE LA INDEPENDENCIA ESPAÑOLA
1808-1814
,

A very detailed site, in the Spanish language, on the French invasion of 1808 and the subsequent years of quasi-guerilla warfare which accompanied British operations from Portugal.

Aragon

Saragossa

1809

Batalla de Alcañiz

23rd May

Aragon

Saragossa

1809

Batalla de Belchite

18th June

Castile, New

Toledo

1809

Batalla de Talavera

28 de Julio de 1809

Castile, New

Madrid

1809

Batalla de Ocaña

19 Nov

Castile, New

Toledo

1809

Batalla de Almonacid

After the action of Aranjuez on 5 August, General Venegas directed his Army of La Mancha towards Toledo, uniting all his forces on the 10th in Almonacid, consisting of 22.000 infantry, more than 3,000 horse and 29 pieces of artillery. The French had passed the previous day through Toledo and the fords of Añover, arriving on the 20th in the town of Nambroca, one league from Almonacid. The Spanish Caudillo, despite knowing of the retirement of the Allied army from Talavera towards Extremadura, had determined to attack the French on the 12th. But on the 11th the French made the first move, with 26,000 infantry, 4,000 horse and 40 guns. The Army of La Mancha was moved hastily in front of Almonacid:  the Vigodet division, a little delayed, occupied the extreme right, with the greater part of the cavalry. Other forces occupied the hills of Utrera, Santo, and Lacy, next to the Guazalate stream. The 3ª (Girón) regiment was distributed between the key height of the Cerrojones, and the Castle of De la Cruz on its hill, where the reserve was located. The Spanish left was first attacked, by General Lewal with the Polish and German divisions after a very violent fire of artillery, answered well by the Spanish guns. The battalions of Bailén and Jaén twice repulsed the Poles; however reserves arrived late and could not prevent the French occupying the important positions of the Cerrojones, although with heavy losses. The Spaniards were forced to take refuge on Castle Hill and then retire, covered by shrapnel fire and by the charges of the Vigodet division and the Spanish Grenadiers against enemy cavalry, which prevented the encirclement of the Spanish left by Polish and German troops. The French, who had 2,500 losses, did not pursue beyond Moor, and many of the Spanish therefore arrived in good order at Manzanares, although some were dispersed as far as the Brown Mountain range.  Spanish losses were not more than 4,000 men total.

Catalonia

Tarragona

1809

Batalla de Valls

25th February. Saint-Cyr seized the bridge at Goy over the Francolí river, the Spaniards retreating in panic back towards Tarragona.

Extremadura

Merida

1809

Batalla de Medellín

28th March

Galicia

La Coruna

1809

Batalla de La Coruña

16 de Enero de 1809

Galicia

La Coruña

1809

La Coruña

 

La Alcarria

Cuenca

1809

Batalla de Uclés

13 de Enero de 1809

Leon

Salamanca

1809

Batalla de Tamames

18 Oct

Murcia

Lorca

1809

Batalla de María

15th June

Portugal

Oporto

1809

Oporto

 

Portugal

 

1810

Bussaco

 

Portugal

Almeida

1810

Coa river

Masséna issued orders to Marshal Michel Ney on 21st July for the 6th Corps to advance on Almeida. In the face of the French advance, General Robert Crauford, commanding the British Light Division, blew up the isolated Spanish fortress of Fort Concepcion and withdrew across the border into Portugal. Rather incautiously, Crauford chose to attempt to shield Almeida by holding a line east of the Côa river with a force of only 3,500 infantry and 1,200 cavalry

Biscay

Bilbao

1811

Batalla de Santa Engracia

19 Feb

Catalonia

Tarragona

1811

Tarragona

 

Extremadura

Badajoz

1811

La Albuera

 

Extremadura

Badajoz

1811

Batalla de Albuera

16 de Mayo de 1811

La Mancha

Valdepenas?

1811

Batalla de Chiclana

5 Mar

Leon

Salamanca

1811

Fuentes de Oñoro

Despite defeating Marshal Masséna's French army at Bussaco, Wellington had been forced to retreat to within a few miles of Lisbon. Here the French encountered a massive line of fortifications stretching from the River Tagus to the sea. With his army on the point of starvation, Masséna was forced to retreat and the scene was set for the climactic action of Fuentes de Oñoro.

Extremadura

Badajoz

1812

Badajoz

British assault on the border fortress

Leon

Salamanca

1812

Ciudad Rodrigo

 

Leon

Salamanca

1812

Salamanca

 

Leon

Salamanca

1812

Batalla de los Arapiles

22 Jul

Biscay

San Sebastian

1813

Crossing of the Bidassoa

Wellington forced the crossing at the foot of the Pyrenees

Biscay

Vitoria

1813

Batalla de Vitoria

21 de Junio de 1813

Navarre

Vitoria

1813

Vitoria

 

Navarre

Pamplona

1813

Batalla de Sorauren-Pirineos

Following the disastrous battle of Vitoria, Marshal Soult took over the French command on 12 July, in San Juan, and marched towards Pamplona, with 33,000 men. He pushed back the Allies near the famous Pass of Roncesvalles, although the Spanish regiment of Leon, under lieutenant colonel Aguier, defended with determination the ammunition factory of Orbaiceta.  The Allied retirement of the allies, pushed by Soult, continued in the following days, stopping only on 26 to cover the capital of Navarre. Soult took positions in the mountains that extend from Ostiz to Zubiri. On 27th the French occupied Sorauren, and on 28th the combat became general along the line. A French attempt to slip through Tolosa to relieve San Sebastian was blocked by Wellington, and the French attacks were everywhere repulsed. The battle had cost the allies 6,000 losses and more than 8,000 to the French.

Biscay

San Sebastian

1813

Batalla de San Marcial

The French, hoping to lift the siege of San Sebastián, crossed the Bidasoa 31 August, before dawn, by the fords near Hendaya. The French attacked the Spaniards on the heights of San Marcial, hoping to penetrate by the gorge of Ercuti and to seize the important position of Soroya, but were repulsed by the Asturians and others. The French thereupon threw a pontoon bridge across the river and assaulted a position known as the Place of the Baskets, under the protection of artillery which they had planted across the Bidasoa. They were repelled and thrown down the hill by a brigade of the division of Don Juan Diaz Porlier, helped by the IIº Navy Battalion. The French then directed their attacks against the Spanish left, where a brigade of the IIIª division was commanded by Don Jose Maria de Ezpeleta. They were counterattacked and thrown back to the river by the regiments of Guadalajara, Asturias and the Crown, three battalions of Volunteers of Guipúzcoa, sent by D. Juan Ugartemendía, and the Second company of the IVª battalion of Artillery under Don Juan Lóriga. At the same time, another French column was forced to descend from the Irachaval mount, occupied in the first attack, and to recross the Bidasoa by the ford of Saraburo. Further operations were prevented by incessant rain. The French had suffered 3,600 losses and the Spaniards a similar number. The English and Portuguese hardly participated in this battle, although Lord Wellington appeared at the end.

Biscay

San Sebastian

1833

Guernica

The Cristino Baron del Solar de Espinosa attacked the Carlists at Guernica under Fernando de Zabala and Simon de La Torre.  In their first victory against army Regulars, the Carlists held the town and inflicted over 300 Cristino casualties, but withdrew when heavy reinforcements approached.

Castile

Madrid

1833

Madrid

Merino, the 64 year old renegade Castilian priest, led 11,000 Carlists south from Logroño towards Madrid.   He got near enough to alarm the inhabitants of the capital but was forced to withdraw to Navarre in the face of superior numbers.  

Navarre

Estella

1833

Los Arcos

First battle of Carlist War.  The Carlist Field-Marshal Santo Ladrón de la Guevara led a body of Royalist Volunteers from Logroño into Navarre.  There they encountered a much larger government force under General Manuel Lorenzo.  Attempting to make a stand, the Carlists were defeated and their commander was captured and shot.

Navarre

Vitoria

1833

Peñacerrada

Following Los Arcos the Cristino Generals Pedro Sarsfield and Manuel Lorenzo crossed the Ebro and routed 1,500 Carlists blocking their way at Peñecerrada.   Within a week the Liberals had entered Vitoria and Bilbao unopposed. 

Navarre?

 

1833

Astarta

29 December 1833: Tomás Zumalacárregui's first major battle in which he defeated two Cristino commanders, General Manuel Lorenzo and Colonel Marcelino Oráa (subordinates of Saarsfield).  Zumalacárregui determined to hold a position between Asarta and Nazar.  The half trained Carlists fought bravely and most of the 350 dead are Cristinos.  

Catalonia

 

1834

Mayals

10 April 1834: Battle of Mayals: Determined to spread the Carlist insurrection to Catalonia, Commander Manuel Carnicer crossed the Ebro and was met at Mayals, southwest of Lerida, by General José Carratalá, commanding in Tarragona, and Governor Manuel Breton of Tortosa.   Despite a courageous attack by Colonel Ramón Cabrera, Carnicer was defeated and the Carlists suffered a major setback

Navarre

Estella

1834

Peñas de San Fausto

19 August 1834: Peñas de San Fausto: Campaigning against the Carlists northwest of Estella, a Spanish Liberal division under Baron Luis Angel de Carondolet was surprised by General Tomás Zumalacárregui at Peñas de San Fausto on the Urederra River. The Liberals were routed and fled, losing 250 men, including some drowned in the river.

La Rioja

Logrono

1834

Viana

?? August 1834: A triumph for the Carlist horse against Baron Luis Angel de Carondolet.  Although they at first refused to charge, Zumalacárregui’s 200 lancers then met and broke the illustrious Cazadores de la Guardia Real, largely because the latter were foolish enough to receive the charge of the lancers when halted.  The lancers went on to overwhelm a battalion of the Castilla Regiment (19th Line) and take its Colour.

Navarre

Mendaza

1834

Mendaza

12 December 1834: Pursued through Navarre by the Spanish Liberal army, Carlist commander Tomás Zumalacárregui with 10,000 men unwisely accepted open battle against 14,000 under General Luis Fernández de Córdova and Colonel arcelino Oráa.  After a bloody five-hour action the Carlists were forced to withdraw.

Navarre

Mendoza

1834

Arquijas I

15 December 1834: Following the Battle of Mendaza, the Spanish Liberal army under General Luis Fernández de Córdova pursued the Carlist commander Tomás Zumalacárregui through Navarre and attempted to force the pass at Arquijas, five miles to the  northwest of Mendaza.   Córdova suffered a costly repulse and fell back towards Los Arcos.  

Navarre

Pamplona

1834

Gulina

17 June 1834: Battle of Gulina: Liberal commander Vicente Jenaro de Quesada in Vitoria ordered Brigadier Linares from Pamplona in an attempt to trap Zumalacárregui.  However, just northwest of Pamplona, Zumalacárregui attacked Linares and both sides suffered about 600 casualties before Zumalacárregui was driven off. 

Navarre

Salvatierra

1834

Alsasua

2 May 1834: Zumalacárregui attacked and defeated the Cristinos (General Vicente Jenaro de Quesada) as they passed Alsasua on a march from Salvatierra into Navarre.  Despite being rescued by another Cristino force (Jáuregui el Pastor 'The Shepherd'), Quesada left 100 prisoners in the hands of the Carlists and suffered 200 dead and wounded.  Subsequently all the captured Cristino officers were shot. 

Navarre

Vitoria

1834

Salvatierra / Alegría

Fought on the plains of Salvatierra near Vitoria (27 Oct). Eluding pursuit after victory at Artaza and Peñas de San Fausto, Carlist commander Tomás Zumalacárregui and Francisco de Iturralde surprised a large Liberal column (3,500 men) under Brigadier O’Doyle at Alegría, between Vitoria and Salvatierra.  Zumalacárregui formed his Carlist troops with a skirmishing battalion leading two others in close order and a fourth in reserve; cavalry guarded the flanks.  The Cristinos lost very heavily when their lines were broken by a Navarrese bayonet assault. O’Doyle fled to nearby Arrieta, where a relief column from Vitoria under General Joaquín de Osma was beaten next day (28 Oct).

Navarre?

 

1834

Artaza

31 August 1834: Soon after Don Carlos V arrived in Spain, Liberal General José Ramon Rodil led perhaps 8,000 men into the rugged Améscoa Valley, where he was attacked at Artaza by just 2,000 Carlists under General Tomás Zumalacárregui.  In a one-sided action Rodil suffered heavy losses before the Carlists withdrew.  Despite his losses Rodil continued his campaign in pursuit of the pretender.

All

 

1834-9

Carlist Wars

The first liberal influences sweeping Europe at this time were opposed from the northeast region of Spain by the conservative Catholic supporters of the pretender Don Carlos, who got all the way to the gates of Madrid. Further Carlist wars followed later in the century, and Carlism is still an active political force as at 2004!!

Catalonia

 

1835

Cervera

25 February 1835: Action at Cervera: The Isabelino Regiment of Ceuta suffered a serious defeat in the neighborhood of Cervera (Sorando, n.d.).

Navarre

Mendaza

1835

Pass of Arquijas

5 February 1835: Second Battle of Arquijas: In a renewed attack on Carlist commander Tomás Zumalacárregui, northeast of Logroño in Navarre near Mendaza, Spanish Liberal forces under General Manuel Lorenzo made a second attempt to force the pass at Arquijas. With only half as many men, Zumalacárregui dealt the Liberals a very costly defeat.

Navarre

Pamplona

1835

Pamplona

March 1835: Taking advantage of Zumalacárregui absence, the Cristinos (General Espoz y Mina) launched a major attack from Pamplona, to try and destroy part of the Carlist army.  The attack took place in freezing weather.  Mina's plan failed largely because of the extraordinary mobility of the Carlist army, and he was nearly surrounded and destroyed.  Although he extricated his army without very heavy losses (partly by forging Zumalacárregui’s signature on an order which he contrived to pass to another enemy general), and some of his forces fought very well, Mina’s reputation suffered irreparable harm, and he was replaced by Valdés in April 1835.

Navarre?

 

1835

Segura

3 January 1835: Zumalacárregui, in order to halt the Cristino offensive, decided that his army would have to suffer heavy losses.  When attacking the enemy columns on the march, the Carlists delivered a rolling fire and then a fire by platoons - which surprised an English observer by its regularity and order.  At a later period in the battle the 1st Navarrese and Guías de Navarra “opened left and right” to allow the general’s squadron of escorting cavalry to charge through at the gallop, a very considerable feat of drill.  Unfortunately, the Príncipe regiment (3rd line), drawn up three deep, halted them with its fire.  Following scattered action both sides withdrew.

Navarre?

Beasain

1835

Ormáiztegui

2 January 1835: Following success at Arquijas, Carlist commander Tomás Zumalacárregui marched north and at Ormáiztegui, west of Beasain, met Spanish Liberal Generals Baldomero Espartero and José Carratalá (2 Jan).  After costly fighting the Carlists fell back to strong positions at Segura

Navarre?

Maeztu

1835

Orbiso

17 Jan 1835: Carlist commander Tomás Zumalacárregui attempted to intercept a Spanish Liberal army under General Manuel Lorenzo and Colonel Marcelino Oráa marching towards Maeztu.  On the heights at Orbiso, Zumalacárregui was driven off at the cost of about 400 men

Navarre, Aragon

 

1846

Matiners War

 

All

 

1868

Spanish Revolution

Queen Isabella overthrown

Navarre?

 

1868

Alcolea

 

Navarre, Aragon

 

1873-6

Second Carlist War

 

Asturias

 

192x

 

Miners revolt savagely put down by the government.

Castille

 

1936

Toledo

 

Leon

 

1936-1937

Corunna Road

 

All

 

1936-1939

Spanish Civil War

Conservative Nationalists under Franco, landing initially from the North African colonies, rebelled against an extremist but divided Republican government supported by the Soviets. Franco received much help from Italy and Germany. There is a good Spanish language site too.

Castile

 

1936-9

Siege of Madrid

The Nationalists, who had approached originally from Extremadura, closed their stranglehold gradually around the city.

Andalusia

Malaga

1937

Malaga

The Nationalist entry into the town culminated in a massacre of their opponents.

Aragon

Saragossa

1937

Saragossa

 

Cantabria

Santander

1937

Santander

 

Castille

 

1937

Brunete

 

Castille, New

 

1937

Jarama

 

La Alcarria

Guadalajara

1937

Brihuega II

 

La Alcarria

Guadalajara

1937

Guadalajara

 

Navarre

Bilbao

1937

Bilbao

 

Aragon

Teruel

1937-1938

Teruel

The Nationalists headed for the sea through Teruel, creating a massive salient into Republican lines.

Catalonia

Lerida

1938

Battle of the Ebro River

In July, the Republicans from the Catalonian enclave attempted to force the river line and gain the hilly Terra Alta region in a most bloody contest, with the ultimate intent of linking with the government’s remaining territory in Valencia.

Catalonia

Barcelona

1938-1939

Siege of Barcelona

.. where there had been intermittent street fighting during the war between the various factions of the left, well described in George Orwell’s classic “Homage to Catalonia”

Biscay

San Sebastian

193x

Bombing of Guernica

The first example of strategic bombing, carried out by Hitler’s Condor Legion and made famous by Picasso’s painting.

All

 

1990s

ETA bombings

Bombings by this terror group favouring Basque independence continued, with new warnings concerning tourist targets just issued in 2004.