Battle of Les Formigues facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Les Formigues
Part of Aragonese Crusade
Date September 4, 1285 Location Formigues Islands, off the coast of Girona, Catalonia, present-day Spain Result Aragonese victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of Sicily Crown of Aragon	France, Republic of Genoa
Commanders and leaders
Roger of Lauria Ramon Marquet Berenguer Mallol	Guilhem de Lodeva Henry di Mari John de Orreo
Strength
30 galleys 10 galleys	30 galleys
Casualties and losses
Unknown	15–20 or more galleys sunk, burnt, or captured

The naval Battle of Les Formigues was an important sea battle fought on September 4, 1285. It took place near the Les Formigues Islands off the coast of Catalonia, which is in present-day Spain. In this battle, a fleet from Catalonia and Sicily faced off against a combined fleet from France and Genoa.

The Catalan-Sicilian fleet was led by a skilled commander named Roger of Lauria. The French and Genoese fleets were commanded by Guilhem de Lodeva, Henry di Mari, and John de Orrea. This battle was a key moment in the Aragonese Crusade, a larger conflict happening at the time.

A Surprise Night Battle

Most sea battles in the Middle Ages happened during the day. But the Battle of Les Formigues was different. It took place in the early morning, while it was still dark. This was a smart move by Roger of Lauria, who was known for being very good at fighting at night.

Lauria's Clever Trick

To make his fleet look bigger than it actually was, Roger of Lauria used a clever trick. He ordered his ships to display two lanterns on each galley. This made it seem like he had many more ships than he did, which could have scared the enemy.

What Happened During the Fight

During the battle, about 10 to 16 Genoese galleys, led by John de Orrea, quickly fled the scene. This left the French ships to fight alone. Around 15 to 20 French galleys were captured by Lauria's forces. Some other French ships were sunk or set on fire.

The Outcome and a Message

The Battle of Les Formigues was a clear victory for the Catalan-Sicilian fleet. The French admiral, Guilhem de Lodeva, was captured during the fight.

A Message for the French King

After the battle, Roger of Lauria sent a message to the King of France. He sent back many French prisoners to deliver this message. The message from Lauria was a strong warning: he said that no ship would be able to sail safely in the Mediterranean Sea without carrying a shield or sign of the King of Aragon. This meant that Aragon now controlled the seas.

See also

In Spanish: Batalla de Formigues para niños