Alfonso Jofré Tenorio facts for kids
Alfonso Jofré Tenorio was an important leader in the Kingdom of Castile a long time ago. He was the Admiral of Castile from 1314 until he died in 1340. This meant he was in charge of Castile's navy, like a top commander of all the ships and sailors. He played a big part in many battles at sea, especially against the forces from the Emirate of Granada and the Marinid Sultanate in North Africa.
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Becoming Admiral
Alfonso Jofré Tenorio became the Admiral of Castile in 1314. This was a very powerful position. As Admiral, he was responsible for protecting Castile's coasts and trade routes. He also led naval attacks against enemies. His job was crucial for the kingdom's safety and power, especially during times of conflict.
Early Battles and Victories
Alfonso Jofré Tenorio quickly showed his skills as a naval commander. In 1316, he took part in a war against the Emirate of Granada. The Emirate of Granada was a Muslim kingdom in the south of the Iberian Peninsula. Castile often fought against them for control of land and sea.
Later, in 1326, Admiral Tenorio led a very important naval operation. He set up a blockade, which means he surrounded an area with ships to stop supplies or people from getting in or out. During this blockade, he faced a combined fleet from Granada and the Marinid Sultanate. The Marinids were a powerful Muslim empire from North Africa. Admiral Tenorio's forces won this battle, which was a big victory for Castile. It showed his strength and cleverness as a naval leader.
Defending Gibraltar
In 1333, a major challenge arose when the Marinid and Granadan forces launched a big attack on Gibraltar. Gibraltar was a very important fortress and port. It controlled access to the Strait of Gibraltar, which is the narrow waterway connecting the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
Admiral Tenorio played a key role in trying to defend Gibraltar during this siege. A siege is when an army surrounds a place and tries to capture it. Despite the brave efforts of the Castilian defenders, they were eventually defeated. After the defeat, Alfonso Jofré Tenorio was involved in signing a treaty in 1334. This treaty officially handed over Gibraltar to the Marinid forces. It was a tough loss for Castile, but it showed the ongoing struggles for control of this vital region.
Final Battle and Legacy
Alfonso Jofré Tenorio continued to serve as Admiral for several more years. His life as a naval commander came to an end on 16 April 1340. He died in a fierce naval battle against the Marinid fleet. This battle was led by the Marinid Sultan Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn Othman. The fight took place in the very important Strait of Gibraltar.
Admiral Tenorio's death in battle marked the end of a long career dedicated to Castile's navy. He is remembered as a brave and important figure in Castilian history. He helped shape the kingdom's naval power during a time of constant conflict in the Iberian Peninsula.
See also
In Spanish: Alonso Jofre Tenorio para niños
