Siege of Algeciras (1342–1344)

Siege of Algeciras (1342–44)

Statue of Alfonso XI of Castile in Algeciras

Date	3 August 1342 – 26 March 1344
Location	Algeciras 36°07′39″N 5°27′14″W / 36.1275°N 5.453889°W / 36.1275; -5.453889
Result	Decisive Castillian victory – conquest of the city

Belligerents

European crusaders

Commanders and leaders

Abu al-Hasan Ali

Yusuf I

Alfonso XI

Algeciras

Location in Spain

Coordinates: 36°07′39″N 5°27′14″W / 36.1275°N 5.453889°W / 36.1275; -5.453889

The Siege of Algeciras (1342–44) was undertaken during the Reconquest of Spain by the Castillian forces of Alfonso XI assisted by the fleets of the Kingdom of Aragon and the Republic of Genoa. The objective was to capture the Muslim city of Al-Jazeera Al-Khadra, called Algeciras by Christians. The city was the capital and the main port of the European territory of the Marinid Empire.

The siege lasted for twenty one months. The population of the city, about 30,000 people including civilians and Berber soldiers, suffered from a land and sea blockade that prevented the entry of food into the city. The Emirate of Granada sent an army to relieve the city, but it was defeated beside the Río Palmones. Following this, on 26 March 1344 the city surrendered and was incorporated into the Kingdom of Castile. This was one of the first military engagements in Europe where gunpowder was used.

Despite the remarkable significance of the siege and fall of Algeciras, there are few contemporary written sources that recount the events. The most important work is the Chronicle of Alfonso XI, which tells the main events of the reign of King Alfonso XI, and whose chapters describing the siege of Algeciras were written by the royal scribes in the Christian camp. This book recounts in detail the events as seen from outside the city, devoting a chapter to each month. Other Castillian works are the Poem of Alfonso Onceno, called the "rhyming chronicle", written by Rodrigo Yáñez, and the Letters of Mateo Merced, Vice Admiral of Aragon, with a report to his king on the entry of the troops into the city.

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