Battle of Nájera
Near Nájera, La Rioja, Spain
What happened
King Peter of Castile, helped by Edward the Black Prince of England, fought his half-brother Henry of Trastámara, with the French commander Bertrand du Guesclin. Two half-brothers were fighting for the throne of Castile, and England and France each backed one side. The Black Prince's army made a long march around and surprised Henry's army at dawn. Du Guesclin's vanguard was surrounded, and Henry's main army broke and fled toward the bridge at Nájera.
Why it matters
Why it matters: Peter won, but Henry escaped, so the war went on. Peter never paid the Black Prince, the English alliance collapsed, and Castile later became France's ally.
What came next
Henry defeated and killed Peter at Montiel in 1369 and became king. The Black Prince fell ill on the campaign and never fully recovered, dying in 1376.
Did you know?
When told that Henry had escaped, the Black Prince is said to have answered, 'Nothing then is done'.
Timeline
- 26 August 1346The Black Prince fights at Crécy.
- 3 April 1367Peter and the Black Prince win at Nájera.
- 1369Henry defeats Peter at Montiel.
- 8 June 1376The Black Prince dies.