Siege of Fuenterrabía (1523–1524)
This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (April 2017) |
Siege of Fuenterrabía | |
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Part of the Fuenterrabía 43°21′44.78″N 1°47′29.33″W / 43.3624389°N 1.7914806°W | |
Result | Imperial–Spanish victory |
Kingdom of Navarre
Íñigo Fernández de Velasco
The
The Fuenterrabía of the 16th century also included most of the municipal term of the current city of
Its border situation and its geographic characteristics made both Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor and Francis I of France covet its possession. For this reason, both nations appointed commissioners to elucidate the problems of water limits in the conflicts of the towns of Fuenterrabía and Hendaye, something that until then had been solved by agreement.
In 1512, the first
As of 1517, the territorial rights of the area were defined by law by the two kingdoms, that of Spain and that of France, leaving the natives divided.
At the beginning of October 1521 the castle of Behovia was taken by the troops commanded by the French Admiral
The Lord of Bonnivent established a garrison with 3,000 men, who were 2,000 Gascons and 1,000 Navarrese under the orders of Jacques D'Aillon, Lord of Luda, who remained as mayor of the square "in the name of the King of Navarre". For this reason, the flag of Navarre was waving throughout the siege, despite the intention of the French to raise their flag.
Siege of the fortress
Beltrán de la Cueva y Toledo, duke of Alburquerque, was appointed, on May 23, 1522, new captain general of Gipuzkoa, although he had already held the position previously, which with a significant increase in troops from different places, between 3000 and 4,000 German lanskenetes, and soldiers recruited in Castile, Navarre, Aragón, Vizcaya, La Rioja and Álava.
Faced with the difficulties in defending the castle of Behovia, the French army decided to abandon it. The withdrawal was carried out correctly, taking the cannons, weapons, and provisions. Later, different explosive charges were arranged to destroy its walls, but its fuses were extinguished by the Castilian troops under the command of Captain Ochoa Sanz de Asua, who took the castle.
Two days later, the Battle of Mount Aldabe or San Marcial took place.
In July 1522, it was decided to surrender the fortress due to starvation. After ten months without being supplied, deaths from starvation began to occur. French troops came who, after crossing the Bidasoa, made the imperial troops flee, being able to supply the square and renew the garrison. For this reason, Beltrán de la Cueva was dismissed, and was replaced by Íñigo Fernández de Velasco, Constable of Castile.
The naval control of the fortress allowed the supply to be maintained. Throughout the siege, the red flag of Navarre flew in the fortress, although the French tried to impose theirs.
In the winter of 1523-1524, a great offensive was organized by Emperor Charles V against Francis I, to occupy Toulouse, Lower Navarre, Bayonne and Fuenterrabia. This campaign failed after 24 days with the loss of a quarter of the army due to desertions and disease. These troops regrouped and joined the bulk of the army surrounding Fuenterrabía.
On 2 February 1524, the
On 29 February 1524, pardon was granted to the imprisoned Navarrese, with the condition that within two months they surrendered and gave an oath and loyalty to Charles V. The fortress was surrendered on 29 April.
References
- ^ "Spain: February 1523 | British History Online". www.british-history.ac.uk. Retrieved 2023-03-07.
- Esarte, Pedro (2001). Navarra. Pamplona: Pamiela.