Battle of Palmela

Battle of Palmela (1165)
Part of the Portuguese Reconquista
Date1165
Location
Palmela, Kingdom of Portugal
Result Portuguese victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of Portugal Almohad Caliphate
Commanders and leaders
Afonso I of Portugal Governor of Badajoz
Strength
Unknown Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown
  • v
  • t
  • e
Battles in the Reconquista
8th century
9th century
10th century
11th century
12th century
13th century
14th century
15th century
Post-Reconquista Rebellions
  • 1st Alpujarras
  • 2nd Alpujarras
North Africa
  • v
  • t
  • e
Moroccan–Portuguese conflicts
Iberia
Morocco

The Battle of Palmela, which took place in 1165, was an armed encounter during the Reconquista between King Afonso I of Portugal and the Muslim governor of Badajoz, who was defeated at the time.

History

In 1158, the king of Portugal conquered the important port city of Alcácer do Sal and after this city fell into his hands, numerous other villages in the Alentejo surrendered or were conquered. All of these positions were reconquered by the Almohads after the Battle of Alcácer do Sal in 1161, except for Alcácer, which remained in Catholic hands.[1][2]

On February 21, 1165, Afonso I conquered the castle of Sesimbra after realizing that the fortification was poorly defended.[3][4]

The Almohad governor of Badajoz, the largest and most powerful Muslim city in the west of the peninsula, as soon as he learned of what had happened, left for the region to reconquer the castle with a large detachment of soldiers, including knights and pawns.[5] However, the Muslims advanced in poor order. Upon learning of the governor's approach, the Portuguese king took to the field and defeated him in battle near Palmela.[5] Following the battle, Palmela surrendered.[5]

In the same year of the conquest of Sesimbra, the battle of Palmela and the occupation of Palmela took place, Évora was also conquered by Gerald the Fearless.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ Alexandre Herculano: História de Portugal, I, 1846, p. 397.
  2. ^ Lay, S. (2008-11-28). The Reconquest Kings of Portugal: Political and Cultural Reorientation on the Medieval Frontier. Springer. p. 127. ISBN 978-0-230-58313-9.
  3. ^ Manuel Sílvio Alves Conde: Sesimbra, Sobre a Costa do Mar (Séculos XII-XIII) in ARQUIPÉLAGO • HISTÓRIA, 2ª série, VII (2003), p. 252.
  4. ^ José Augusto Oliveria: "Vigiar o Tejo, Vigiar o Mar: A Definição dos Concelhos de Almada e Sesimbra" in Da Conquista de Lisboa à Conquista de Alcácer 1147-1217, Edições Colibri, 2019, p. 291.
  5. ^ a b c Samuel A. Dunham: The History of Spain and Portugal, Volume 3, 1832, pp. 184.
  6. ^ Samuel A. Dunham: The History of Spain and Portugal, Volume 3, 1832, pp. 184-185.