Battle of La Higueruela facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of La Higueruela |
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| Part of the Spanish Reconquista | |||||||
 The Battle of Higueruela as depicted in the Gallery of Battles at the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain. |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Crown of Castile |
 Kingdom of Granada |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Álvaro de Luna |
Muhammad IX |
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| Strength | |||||||
| Unknown | Unknown | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Unknown | about 12,000 | ||||||
The Battle of La Higueruela (which means "Battle at the little fig tree") happened on July 1, 1431. It was fought in a green valley near the city of Granada in what is now Spain. This battle was part of the Reconquista, a long period when Christian kingdoms in Spain tried to take back land from Muslim rulers.
The battle was between the army of John II of Castile, a Christian king, and the forces of Muhammed IX, the Muslim ruler of Granada. Even though the Castilian army won, they didn't gain any new land or capture Granada. After this battle, King John II put Yusuf IV in charge as the new Sultan of Granada.
Contents
What Was the Reconquista?
The Reconquista was a series of wars that lasted for centuries. Christian kingdoms in the north of the Iberian Peninsula slowly expanded their control. They fought against the Muslim rulers who had been in charge of much of the peninsula since the 8th century. The Battle of La Higueruela was one of the many conflicts during this long historical period.
Who Were the Main Leaders?
King John II of Castile
John II of Castile was the King of Castile, one of the most powerful Christian kingdoms in Spain. He wanted to expand his kingdom's territory. His army was led by Álvaro de Luna, a very important and powerful noble.
Sultan Muhammed IX of Granada
Muhammed IX was the Sultan of the Kingdom of Granada. This was the last Muslim kingdom in Spain. He was part of the Nasrid dynasty, the family that ruled Granada for over 250 years.
Where Did the Battle Take Place?
The battle happened in the "vega" of the Genil river. A vega is a very fertile valley, often used for farming. This area was close to the city of Granada, which was the capital of the Muslim kingdom.
What Happened During the Battle?
The battle was a victory for the Castilian forces. However, it was not a huge win. They defeated Muhammed IX's army but could not capture the city of Granada itself. This meant the main goal of taking Granada was not achieved.
How Do We Know About This Battle?
The Battle of La Higueruela is famous because it is shown in a series of large paintings. These paintings are frescoes, which means they are painted directly onto walls. They were created by artists like Fabrizio Castello and Orazio Cambiasi. You can see these paintings in the Gallery of Battles at the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial in Spain.
See also
