Battle of Salga

Part of War of the Portuguese Succession

Monument erected to mark the Battle of Salga

Date	25 July 1581
Location	Salga Bay, Terceira, Azores Coordinates: 38°36′56″N 27°5′51″W / 38.61556°N 27.09750°W / 38.61556; -27.09750
Result	Victory for António, Prior of Crato

Belligerents

Portuguese loyal to António, Prior of Crato

France

Spain

Portuguese loyal to Philip I

Commanders and leaders

Ciprião de Figueiredo

Pedro de Valdez

Strength

6,000 troops

8 galleons
1 patache
1 caravel
1,000 troops

Casualties and losses

approx. 100

approx. 500

The Battle of Salga occurred on 25 July 1581, along the Bay of Salga and around the coastal part of the parish of Vila de São Sebastião, island of Terceira in the Portuguese Azores, between Spanish and Portuguese forces. The latter, in the name of António, Prior of Crato, successfully defended the island against personal union with the Spanish crown, during the War of the Portuguese Succession.

After a successful conquest of the Kingdom of Portugal, Philip II of Spain was confronted with a new conflict with António, Prior of Crato, forcing him to delay his acclamation and recognition of Prince Diogo, his son, as heir and legitimate successor to the Portuguese Crown.

Philip had opened the Junta dos Estados (English: Council of State) on 17 April 1581, with the objective of establishing guarantees to the Portuguese Crown, and in order to facilitate this he published an amnesty for those implicated in supporting the Prior of Crato, during the succession crisis. But, it was not a general amnesty and contained many artificial clauses, that the King refused to alter, and who refused to pardon many, including António, the Count of Vimioso, the Bishop of Guarda (son of the Count), as well as 52 others.

When he eventually arrived in Almada, the King was advised of the bad disposition that existed on the island of Terceira towards his reign, and that they had refused to accept Ambrósio de Aguiar Coutinho as the new governor. Consequently, he ordered the preparation of an armada that could potentially secure the island of São Miguel, place locals under the obedience of the Crown, and facilitate shipping to the Indies. The fleet, under the command of Pedro de Valdez, was ordered to take Terceira until greater forces could be sent to assist the control the Azores. With Pedro, Phillip sent letters for the government in Angra do Heroísmo and particular instructions for the residents of the island, that with peace the new restrictions would be alleviated.

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Wikipedia