Battle of Montiel
Battle of Montiel | |||||||
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Part of the Castilian Civil War | |||||||
Miniature of the Battle of Montiel from the "Chronicles" of Jean Froissart (15th century) | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Castilians supporting Henry France |
Castilians supporting Granada | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Bertrand Du Guesclin |
Peter of Castille † |
The Battle of Montiel was fought on 14 March 1369 between the Franco-Castilian forces supporting
Background
In 1366 there was a civil war of succession in
The armies in support of Trastámara were defeated at the battle of Nájera in 1367, but Peter of Castile lost the advantage because he did not remunerate his ally the Black Prince. The Black Prince, also affected by dysentery, withdrew his support from Peter and returned to Aquitaine.[3]
Battle
The Franco-Castilian force was led by Bertrand du Guesclin, while Peter of Castile led a Castilian-Granadine force. The Franco-Castilians were victorious largely thanks to the enveloping tactics of du Guesclin.
Aftermath
After the battle, Peter fled to the castle of Montiel, where he became trapped. In an attempt to bribe Bertrand du Guesclin, Peter was lured into a trap outside his castle refuge. In the confrontation his half-brother Henry stabbed Peter multiple times. His death on 23 March 1369 marked the end of the Castilian Civil War. His victorious half-brother was crowned Henry II of Castille.
Henry made du Guesclin Duke of Molina and formed an alliance with the French King Charles V. Between 1370 and 1376, the Castilian fleet provided naval support to French campaigns against Aquitaine and the English coast while du Guesclin recaptured Poitou and Normandy from the English.[2]
Notes
References
- Curry, Anne (2002). The Hundred Years War 1337-1453. Oxford: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1-84176-269-5.
- DeVries, Kelly (2006). Battles of the Medieval World. New York: Barnes & Noble. pp. 148–157. ISBN 0-7607-7779-9.
- Wagner, John A (2006). Encyclopedia of the Hundred Years War. Westport CT: Greenwood Press. ISBN 0-313-32736-X.