Battle of Castelo Rodrigo

Battle of Castelo Rodrigo
Part of Portuguese Restoration War

View of Castelo Rodrigo
Date7 July 1664
LocationNear Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, Portugal
Result Portuguese victory[1]
Belligerents
 Portugal  Spain
Commanders and leaders
Pedro Jacques de Magalhães Duke of Osuna
John of Austria the Younger
Strength
3,000[2] 7,000 [3]
9 cannons[4]
Casualties and losses
low 2,000 killed[5]
500 prisoners[6]
All the artillery captured[7]

The Battle of Castelo Rodrigo, also known as the Battle of Salgadela, was fought on 7 July 1664, near Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, between Spanish and Portuguese as part of the Portuguese Restoration War.

After a number of skirmishes, the Duke of Osuna attacked the castle of Castelo Rodrigo with 7,000 men and 9 pieces of artillery. The castle was only defended by 150 Portuguese.

The military commander of the province, Pedro Jacques de Magalhães, rallied 3,000 men and moved to the rescue of Castelo Rodrigo.

A battle took place near the village of Salgadela which was won by the Portuguese. After an initial Spanish attack was repelled, the Portuguese counter-attack proved decisive. Many prisoners were taken and all the artillery pieces captured.[8] It is told that Osuna and John of Austria the Younger, escaped disguised as monks.[9]

A memorial stone was placed on the site of the battlefield.

Coordinates: 40°52′N 6°57′W / 40.867°N 6.950°W

Notes

  1. ↑ Ângelo Ribeiro, p. 96
  2. ↑ Ângelo Ribeiro, p. 96
  3. ↑ Dunlop, p.626
  4. ↑ Dunlop, p.627
  5. ↑ Dunlop, p.627
  6. ↑ Dunlop, p.627
  7. ↑ Dunlop, p.627
  8. ↑ Ângelo Ribeiro, p. 96
  9. ↑ John Murray, p.148

References