Battle of Guadix

Battle of Guadix
Part of Reconquista
Location Guadix, Province of Granada, Spain 37°18′N 3°08′W / 37.3°N 3.13°W / 37.3; -3.13Coordinates: 37°18′N 3°08′W / 37.3°N 3.13°W / 37.3; -3.13 Result Muslim victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of Castile Kingdom of Jaén Order of Calatrava	Emirate of Granada
Strength
2,600	4.600
Location of Guadix in Spain

The Battle of Guadix was an engagement between Castilian and Granadan forces at Guadix, then in the Emirate of Granada and now in Spain, that took place in January 1362. The Castilians were routed by forces loyal to Muhammed VI, Sultan of Granada. Despite his victory, Muhammed VI soon after sued for peace. He was murdered on the orders of King Peter of Castile.

Muhammed V of Granada was dethroned in 1359, but escaped to Guadix, and from there to Morocco where he was protected by Ibrahim ibn Ali, Abu Salim. His younger brother took power as Isma'il II, but was assassinated a few months later on the orders of his distant cousin Isma'il bin Nasr, abu-Sa'id, who took the throne as Muhammed VI. Soon after taking power, Muhammed VI lost a battle against a Christian force at Guadix. In the summer of 1361 Abu Salim and King Peter of Castile ("the Cruel") supported Muhammed V in an attempt to regain his throne. In December 1361 a Castilian army of 6,000 men took a number of towns in Granada.

In January 1362 a force of about 2,600 Castilians attacked a force of 4,600 Muslims at Guadix. The Castilians had about 1,000 cavalry and 2,000 foot soldiers. They were led by Diego García de Padilla, Master of the Order of Calatrava and adelantado mayor of the Frontier, Enrique Enríquez the Younger, commanding the forces of the Bishop of Jaén, Men Rodríguez de Biedma and other noblemen. The chronicler Pero López de Ayala said the Castilians had low morale because the king had unjustly taken valuable Moorish prisoners from them that they had captured the previous year. The omens were also unfavorable, which was deeply disturbing to the superstitious soldiers.

When they arrived in sight of Guadix the Christians did not see any sign of the enemy, and divided into two troops. One remained in battle order beside a small river, while the other marched towards Alhama. The Moors had been warned of the advance. Six hundred cavalry and four thousand foot soldiers had been moved secretly to Guadix to reinforce the garrison of the town. When the Castilian detachment sent to Alhama came into sight, the Moors attacked, but at first only showed part of their forces. Other troops emerged from Guadix unseen, hidden by hedges and gardens.