Battle of Aljubarrota, 1385 ⚔ How a peasant army founded a World Empire

The Battle of Aljubarrota, fought on August 14, 1385, was a significant conflict that played a crucial role in the formation of the Portuguese nation-state and the expansion of its global empire. This battle saw the forces of Portugal, led by King John I and his general, Nuno Álvares Pereira, triumph over the invading Castilian army. Despite being outnumbered, the Portuguese forces, comprising mainly of peasants and common folk, managed to secure a decisive victory. This victory not only solidified Portugal's independence but also set the stage for its rise as a major maritime and colonial power in the ensuing centuries.

Historical Context
The roots of the Battle of Aljubarrota lie in the complex dynastic and territorial disputes of the late 14th century. Portugal and Castile, both part of the Iberian Peninsula, had a long history of rivalry and warfare. The immediate cause of the battle was the death of King Ferdinand I of Portugal in 1383, which left no male heir to the throne. Ferdinand's daughter, Beatrice, was married to King John I of Castile, who claimed the Portuguese throne through his wife. This claim was contested by a faction of Portuguese nobles and commoners who supported John of Avis, a half-brother of the late king, as the rightful ruler.

The political vacuum led to a period of civil strife known as the Portuguese Interregnum (1383-1385). During this time, John of Avis, who was the Grand Master of the Order of Aviz, emerged as a prominent leader. He was supported by the lower nobility, the clergy, and the urban bourgeoisie, all of whom were wary of Castilian dominance. The Castilian claim, backed by much of the higher nobility, threatened Portuguese sovereignty and the economic interests of these groups.

The situation escalated into open conflict when John of Castile invaded Portugal in 1384, laying siege to Lisbon. The siege was eventually lifted due to a combination of Portuguese resistance and a devastating outbreak of plague in the Castilian camp. In April 1385, John of Avis was acclaimed as King John I of Portugal by the Cortes of Coimbra, a national assembly of representatives. This act was a direct challenge to Castilian ambitions and set the stage for the decisive confrontation at Aljubarrota.

Prelude to Battle
Leading up to the Battle of Aljubarrota, both sides made extensive preparations. John I of Portugal, recognizing the numerical superiority of the Castilian forces, adopted a strategy of fortification and strategic positioning. His army was composed largely of peasant levies, supplemented by some k
The Castilian forces, led by King John I of Castile, were well-equipped and experienced. They included a significant number of heavy cavalry, which was considered the most formidable military force of the time. Confident in their numerical and tactical superiority, the Castilians marched into Portugal with the intention of swiftly crushing the resistance and securing the throne.

The Battle
The Battle of Aljubarrota began on the afternoon of August 14, 1385. The Portuguese army, numbering around 6,500 to 7,000 men, was positioned in a defensive formation known as the "tabor," a fortified camp surrounded by ditches and wooden stakes. This formation was designed to neutralize the advantage of the Castilian cavalry and force the enemy to engage in close-quarters combat, where the Portuguese had the upper hand.

The Castilian army, estimated to be between 20,000 and 30,000 strong, launched a series of frontal assaults against the Portuguese positions. However, the rugged terrain and the well-prepared defenses took a heavy toll on the attackers. The Portuguese archers and crossbowmen, positioned behind the fortifications, rained arrows and bolts on the advancing Castilians, causing significant casualties.

The decisive moment of the battle came when the Castilian knights, frustrated by their inability to break through the Portuguese lines, dismounted and attempted to storm the tabor on foot. This decision proved disastrous, as the heavily armored knights became easy targets for the Portuguese defenders. The close-quarters combat favored the lighter and more agile Portuguese troops, who inflicted heavy losses on the Castilians.

King John I of Castile, realizing that the battle was lost, ordered a retreat. The Portuguese forces, however, pursued the fleeing enemy, turning the retreat into a rout. Many Castilian soldiers were killed or captured, and the remnants of the Castilian army were forced to withdraw from Portuguese territory.