Siege of Abrantes
Siege of Abrantes (1179) | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Part of the Reconquista and Spanish Christian–Muslim War of 1172–1212 | |||||||
| |||||||
Belligerents | |||||||
Kingdom of Portugal | Almohad Caliphate | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Unknown | Yaqub al-Mansur Abem Jacob | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
Unknown | Unknown | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
9 dead | Large number of casualties |
- v
- t
- e
- 8th century
- Covadonga
- 1st Roncevaux Pass
- Burbia River
- Orbieu River
- Lutos
- Las Babias
- Río Quirós
- Oviedo
- 1st Lisbon
- 9th century
- 1st Barcelona
- 1st Tortosa
- Pancorbo
- 2nd Roncevaux Pass
- Clavijo
- Albelda
- Guadalacete
- Monte Laturce
- Morcuera
- Polvoraria
- 1st Cellorigo
- 2nd Cellorigo
- 2nd Barcelona
- 10th century
- Day of Zamora
- 1st Majorca
- Pallars and Ribagorza
- 1st San Esteban de Gormaz
- 2nd San Esteban de Gormaz
- Valdejunquera
- 1st Toledo
- Alhandic
- Simancas
- Estercuel
- Torrevicente
- Rueda
- 3rd Barcelona
- 11th century
- Cervera
- Calatañazor
- Torà
- Albesa
- Aqbat al-Bakr
- Graus
- Coimbra
- Barbastro
- Paterna
- Llantada
- Golpejera
- Cabra
- Piedra Pisada
- Morella
- 2nd Toledo
- 1st Zaragoza
- Sagrajas
- Tudela
- Tévar
- 3rd Toledo
- Almodóvar del Río
- 1st Valencia
- 2nd Lisbon
- Alcoraz
- Bairén
- Consuegra
- 4th Toledo
- 5th Toledo
- 12th century
- 2nd Valencia
- Mollerussa
- Balaguer
- Uclés
- Norwegian raid
- 3rd Lisbon
- Talavera
- Formentera
- Ibiza
- 1st Balearic Islands
- 6th Toledo
- Candespina
- Vatalandi
- 1st Santarém
- 2nd Balearic Islands
- Martorell
- Coimbra
- 2nd Zaragoza
- Cutanda
- 1st Lleida
- 1st Granada
- Corbins
- Alcalá
- 3rd Valencia
- Aceca
- 1st Badajoz
- Fraga
- Leiria
- 1st Coria
- Ourique
- Oreja
- Trancoso
- 2nd Coria
- 4th Lisbon
- 1st Montiel
- Soure
- Albacete
- 1st Almería
- Al-Ludjdj
- 2nd Santarém
- Sacavém
- 5th Lisbon
- Sacavém
- 2nd Tortosa
- 2nd Lleida
- 2nd Almería
- 1st Alcácer do Sal
- Palmela
- 1st Évora
- 2nd Badajoz
- Juromenha
- 3rd Santarém
- Central Iberia
- Tarragona
- Cuenca
- Calatrava
- 2nd Seville
- Abrantes
- 2nd Évora
- 4th Santarém
- Alvor
- 1st Silves
- 2nd Silves
- Tomar
- 2nd Alcácer do Sal
- 2nd Silves
- Alarcos
- Talamanca
- 13th century
- Al-Dāmūs
- Las Navas de Tolosa
- 3rd Alcácer do Sal
- 1st Jaén
- Peníscola
- Aragonese raid
- 2nd Majorca
- 2nd Jaén
- 1st Jerez
- Ares
- Burriana
- Córdoba
- El Puig
- 4th Valencia
- Algarve
- 1st Xàtiva
- 2nd Xàtiva
- Biar
- 3rd Jaén
- 3rd Seville
- Faro
- 2nd Jerez
- Mudéjar revolt
- 3rd Jerez
- 1st Murcia
- Écija
- Martos
- Andalusia
- 1st Algeciras
- 2nd Algeciras
- Moclín
- Iznalloz
- 14th century
- 1st Gibraltar
- 3rd Algeciras
- 3rd Almería
- 2nd Gibraltar
- Vega de Granada
- Shepherds' Crusade
- Teba
- 3rd Gibraltar
- 4th Gibraltar
- Vega de Pagana
- Getares
- Río Salado
- Estepona
- 4th Algeciras
- 5th Gibraltar
- Linuesa
- Guadix
- 2nd Montiel
- 5th Algeciras
- 2nd Murcia
- 15th century
- Collejares
- Antequera
- 6th Gibraltar
- La Higueruela
- 7th Gibraltar
- Los Alporchones
- 8th Gibraltar
- 9th Gibraltar
- 2nd Granada campaign
- Lucena
- Málaga
- Post-Reconquista Rebellions
- 1st Alpujarras
- 2nd Alpujarras
- North Africa
The Siege of Abrantes in 1179 was an military confrontation of the Reconquista between Portuguese and Almohad forces. The Muslims attempted to conquer Abrantes but were utterly defeated by the city's defenders.[1]
In 1178, after a period of Portuguese military successes, Prince Sancho of Portugal launched a big offensive against the Almohad Caliphate. It would be known as the "Great Triana Raid" and the result was an astonishing victory for the Catholic forces.[2] This triumph greatly contributed to King Afonso's attempts at getting Papal acknowledgment of Portuguese independence. However, it also generated a swift response from the Almohad armed forces.[2]
In the following year, the son of the Almohad Caliph entered with his army into Portuguese territory, crossed the Alentejo and laid siege to the city of Abrantes.[1] The Portuguese soldiers bravely defended themselves and the castle of the city, inflicting a large number of casualties on the Muslims.[2] After 4 days of unsuccessful attempts at conquering the castle and lack of supplies, the Muslim leader was forced to retreat with his forces.[1][3] It appears that this campaign was not carefully planned after all.[3]
Although the Portuguese were able to resist this particular attack, the Almohads did not give up and in the next year already they attacked and destroyed the city of Coruche. Yet, within two years, it was reconstructed.[1] In 1181, after the previous attack, the Muslim forces once again invaded Portugal. This time the target was the city of Évora, but the attack ultimately failed.[4]
See also
- Military history of Portugal
- Portugal in the Middle Ages
- Siege of Santarém (1184)
References
- ^ a b c d McMurdo, Edward (1888). The History of Portugal: From the Commencement of the Monarchy to the Reign of Alfonso III. S. Low, Marston, Searle, & Rivington. p. 230.
- ^ a b c Lay, S. (2008-11-28). The Reconquest Kings of Portugal: Political and Cultural Reorientation on the Medieval Frontier. Springer. p. 151. ISBN 978-0-230-58313-9.
- ^ a b Jensen, Kurt Villads (2016-10-14). Crusading at the Edges of Europe: Denmark and Portugal c.1000 – c.1250. Taylor & Francis. p. 270. ISBN 978-1-317-15670-3.
- ^ Stephens, H. Morse (2021-05-19). The Story of the Nations: Portugal: Unveiling Portugal's Rich Historical Tapestry. Good Press.