Battle of Manolada facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Manolada
Date July 5, 1316 Location Manolada on the Elian Plain Result Victory for Louis of Burgundy
Belligerents
Burgundians, Byzantines	Majorcans
Commanders and leaders
Louis of Burgundy	Ferdinand of Majorca  †

The Battle of Manolada was a big fight that happened on July 5, 1316. It took place at Manolada, a flat area in Peloponnese, Greece. The two main leaders were Louis of Burgundy and Ferdinand of Majorca. Both men believed they had the right to rule the Principality of Achaea. They claimed this right through their wives. Ferdinand's defeat and death in the battle meant that the Angevin family continued to control Achaea. It also stopped his allies, the Catalan Company, from moving further into the Duchy of Athens.

Why the Battle of Manolada Happened

The Angevins, a powerful family from the Kingdom of Naples, gained control of the Principality of Achaea in 1278. This happened after William II Villehardouin died, based on an agreement called the Treaty of Viterbo. For a while, they let William's older daughter, Isabella of Villehardouin, rule Achaea. However, the Angevins were still the main rulers. In 1307, they took back control because Isabella's husband, Philip of Savoy, was not governing well.

In 1312, Isabella died. Her younger sister, Margaret, then claimed the Principality. She said her father's will gave her the right to rule. But this went against the Treaty of Viterbo.

The Angevins made their own plans. They arranged for Isabella's oldest daughter, Matilda of Hainaut, to marry Louis of Burgundy in 1313. They then gave the Principality to Matilda and Louis. Meanwhile, Margaret of Villehardouin had her own plan. She arranged for her daughter, Isabella of Sabran, to marry Ferdinand of Majorca. Ferdinand was from the House of Barcelona and was against the Angevins.

Events Leading to the Battle

Ferdinand of Majorca arrived in the Principality first, in mid-1315. He landed near the port city of Glarentza and quickly took it. In the next few weeks, he conquered the flat lands of Elis. This included Andravida, which was the capital of the Principality. He felt his conquest was complete by August 17, 1315.

It took Louis of Burgundy several months to reach the Principality. He first stopped in Venice to get more help against Ferdinand, who he saw as illegally taking power. While Louis was on his way, his wife, Matilda of Hainaut, traveled directly to Achaea. Many local lords welcomed her. These included John I Orsini, the count of Cephalonia, and Nicholas of Dramelay, the baron of Chalandritsa. They had previously supported Ferdinand but now switched their loyalty to Matilda.

In response, Ferdinand attacked and took Chalandritsa. However, he failed to capture Patras. Soon after, Ferdinand's forces fought Margaret's forces at the Battle of Picotin. Ferdinand won that battle.

Around this time, Louis finally arrived in the Principality. He tried to capture the castle of Chalandritsa from Ferdinand but failed. Louis then moved to Patras. There, his troops were joined by forces from the Byzantine Empire. These Byzantine soldiers were sent by the governor of Mistra, Michael Kantakouzenos. Ferdinand was expecting more help from the Catalans in the Duchy of Athens and from Majorca. Instead of waiting for them at Glarentza, he decided to fight.

The Battle of Manolada

When the battle began, Ferdinand's Majorcan troops broke through the first line of Louis's army. This first line was led by John Orsini, the count of Cephalonia. However, Louis's second line of troops, which he led himself, stopped the Majorcan attack. During the fight, Ferdinand was knocked off his horse. He was accidentally killed before he could be captured. When their leader died, his troops lost their courage. Many of them ran away towards Glarentza.

What Happened After the Battle

John II of Nivelet had joined Ferdinand's side. Louis saw him as a traitor and had him executed right there on the battlefield. The next day, Ferdinand's head was shown outside the gates of Glarentza. This city was still being held by Ferdinand's supporters. The reinforcements that the Catalan Company sent had reached Vostitsa by the time the battle ended. When they heard Ferdinand had died, they returned to Athens. Troops from Majorca arrived by sea at Glarentza ten days later. They suggested holding the city for Ferdinand's son, James. But with some money and persuasion, they eventually gave the city to Louis.

However, Louis did not get to enjoy his victory for long. He died just four weeks after the battle. This left the 22-year-old Matilda, who had now been widowed twice, to rule the Principality. The Principality was falling apart at this time.

See also

In Spanish: Batalla de Manolada para niños