Battle of Alcácer Quibir (Battle of the Three Kings)
Near Ksar el-Kebir, northern Morocco
What happened
King Sebastian of Portugal, allied with the deposed Moroccan sultan Abu Abdallah Mohammed II, fought the army of Sultan Abd al-Malik I of Morocco and his brother Ahmad al-Mansur. Abu Abdallah had lost the Moroccan throne to his uncle, Abd al-Malik, and asked the young King Sebastian of Portugal for help. Sebastian saw the campaign as a crusade and invaded Morocco with a large army. Near Ksar el-Kebir, the Moroccan army spread out to surround the invaders, its cavalry overwhelmed the sides of the Portuguese army, and after nearly four hours the Portuguese were defeated.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was one of the greatest military disasters in Portugal's history. Three kings died in or after the battle, giving it the name 'Battle of the Three Kings'.
What came next
Because Sebastian died childless, Portugal's royal line ended, and in 1580 King Philip II of Spain also became king of Portugal. In Morocco, Ahmad al-Mansur became sultan and grew very powerful.
Did you know?
Many Portuguese believed King Sebastian had not really died and would one day return to save the country, a belief called Sebastianism.
Timeline
- 1578King Sebastian invades Morocco.
- 4 August 1578The Moroccans defeat the Portuguese near Ksar el-Kebir.
- 1580Philip II of Spain becomes king of Portugal.
- 1584-1598Several men falsely claim to be King Sebastian.
- 1591Ahmad al-Mansur's army conquers Songhai at Tondibi.