Battle of Vitoria
Vitoria, Basque Country, Spain
What happened
The Marquess of Wellington led a British, Portuguese and Spanish army against the French army of King Joseph Bonaparte, Napoleon's older brother, and Marshal Jean-Baptiste Jourdan. During the Peninsular War, Napoleon had made his brother Joseph king of Spain, but Spanish, British and Portuguese armies had been fighting the French for years. In 1813 Wellington marched back into Spain and caught Joseph's army near Vitoria in the Basque Country. He attacked from four directions, sending one column around behind the French, and the French army broke and fled.
Why it matters
Result: Coalition victory. Why it matters: The victory ended Joseph Bonaparte's rule in Spain.
What came next
Joseph gave up the Spanish throne and returned to France. He later moved to the United States and lived on an estate in Bordentown, New Jersey.
Did you know?
The composer Ludwig van Beethoven wrote a piece inspired by the battle, often called 'Wellington's Victory'.
Timeline
- 1808Napoleon makes his brother Joseph King of Spain.
- 21 June 1813Wellington defeats Joseph Bonaparte at Vitoria.
- 1844Joseph Bonaparte dies in Florence.