Battle of Aljubarrota
São Jorge, near Aljubarrota, between Leiria and Alcobaça, Portugal
What happened
King John I of Portugal and his commander Nuno Álvares Pereira, with English archers, fought King John I of Castile and his French allies. When the Portuguese king died in 1383 without a son, Castile's king claimed the throne through his marriage. Many Portuguese refused and chose John of Aviz as their king. At Aljubarrota the small Portuguese army held a hilltop protected by trenches and streams, and the much larger Castilian army was beaten.
Why it matters
Why it matters: The battle secured Portugal's independence and began the royal House of Aviz. In 1386 Portugal and England signed the Treaty of Windsor, which is still one of the oldest active treaties in the world.
What came next
King John I ordered the great monastery of Batalha ('Battle') built to give thanks for the victory. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Did you know?
A Portuguese legend tells of Brites de Almeida, a tall baker who fought off Castilian soldiers hiding in her bakery after the battle.
Timeline
- 1383King Ferdinand I of Portugal dies without a son.
- April 1385John of Aviz is acclaimed King John I.
- 14 August 1385Portugal wins at Aljubarrota.
- 1386The Treaty of Windsor is signed, and work on Batalha Monastery begins.
- 1983Batalha Monastery becomes a UNESCO World Heritage Site.