Conquest of Asilah

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Conquest of Asilah
Part of Moroccan-Portuguese conflicts

Portuguese possessions in Morocco (1415–1769)
Date 24 August, 1471
Location Asilah, Morocco
Result Portuguese victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of Portugal Wattasid Morocco
Commanders and leaders
Afonso V of Portugal
Prince John 		Mohamed Cheikh
Strength
30,000 men
400 ships 		Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown 2,000 killed[1]
5,000 captured[2]
Moroccan-Portuguese conflicts

The Conquest of Asilah (Arabic: أصيلة، أرزيلة‎;Portuguese: Arzila), took place in Morocco on 24 August, 1471, and opposed the Kingdom of Portugal and the Wattasid Morocco.

Continuing with his policy of expansion of the Portuguese territories in Morocco, and with the spirit of Crusade against the Muslims always present, King Afonso V of Portugal initially set plans to conquer Tangier, but subsequently decided to conquer Arzila.

Departing from the Portuguese town of Lagos with an army of about 30,000 men and 400 ships,[3] Afonso V arrived at the Moroccan coast on the afternoon of 22 August. The Portuguese King then summoned his Council and decided to attack Asilah on the morning of the following day. After a troubled disembarkation that resulted in the death of more than 200 men caused by strong winds and waves, Afonso's army reached the shore and laid siege to the city of Asilah, conquering it after a hard battle on 24 of August, 1471.[4]

The Count of Valença, Henrique de Menezes, was appointed as the first Portuguese governor of Asilah by King Afonso V.[5]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Diffie, Shafer, Winius "On August 24 the Portuguese captured the city killing some 2000 "infidels" and taking 5000 captives." p.145
  2. ↑ Diffie, Shafer, Winius, p.145
  3. ↑ Black, "Asilah had been captured in 1471 by a Portuguese force of 400 ships and 30,000 men." p.18
  4. ↑ Diffie, Shafer, Winius p.145
  5. ↑ Quintella, p.181, p.182

References

  • Jeremy Black, Cambridge illustrated atlas, warfare: Renaissance to revolution, 1492-1792 (1996) ISBN 0-521-47033-1
  • Bailey Wallys Diffie,Boyd C. Shafer,George Davison Winius, Foundations of the Portuguese empire, 1415-1580 (1977) ISBN 0-8166-0782-6
  • Ignacio da Costa Quintella, Academia das Ciências de Lisboa, Annaes da marinha portugueza, Volume 1 (1839)
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