Battle of Moclín (1280) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Moclín |
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| Part of the Reconquista | |||||||
 The castle at Moclín. |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Crown of Castile Order of Santiago |
 Emirate of Granada |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Infante Sancho Gonzalo Ruiz Girón † |
Muhammad II |
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| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| More than 2,800 killed | Figures unknown | ||||||
The Battle of Moclín, also called the Disaster of Moclín, was a major battle. It happened on June 23, 1280, in a place called Moclín in what is now Spain. This battle was part of the Reconquista, a long period when Christian kingdoms fought to take back land from Muslim rule.
The battle involved two main groups. On one side were the forces from the Emirate of Granada. This was a Muslim kingdom in southern Spain. Their leader was Muhammad II, the Sultan of Granada. On the other side were soldiers from the Kingdom of Castile and the Kingdom of León. These were Christian kingdoms. Their army included many knights from the Order of Santiago, a famous military order. The Christian forces were led by Gonzalo Ruiz Girón, who was the Grand Master (main leader) of the Order of Santiago, and by Sancho. Sancho was the son of King Alfonso X of Castile.
Contents
Why the Battle Happened
Planning for War
In early 1280, King Alfonso X of Castile and his advisors met. They gathered in the city of Badajoz. Their goal was to plan a war against Muhammad II and the Emirate of Granada. Many important royal family members were there.
The king ordered his army to gather in Córdoba. From there, they would start their attack into the Vega de Granada. This was an important area near Granada. However, King Alfonso X got sick with an eye problem. He could not go with his army. So, he stayed behind in Córdoba.
The Battle of Moclín
Christian Forces Advance
In June 1280, Sancho, the king's son, led the Christian army. They moved into the Vega de Granada. With him was Gonzalo Ruiz Girón, the Grand Master of the Order of Santiago. Sancho told Gonzalo to go ahead with some of his knights. Their job was to gather supplies for the army. Sancho stayed at Alcalá la Real, waiting for more soldiers to arrive.
The Ambush
As Gonzalo Ruiz Girón's group returned from getting supplies, they were attacked. Muslim forces, led by Muhammad II, had been waiting. They had set up an ambush near the city of Moclín.
The Muslim soldiers from Moclín pretended to run away. This made the Christian soldiers chase them. But this was a trick! The Muslim forces led the Christian troops right into their trap. Once the Christian soldiers were in the ambush spot, the Muslim army quickly cut off their escape routes.
A Crushing Defeat
The Muslim forces then attacked fiercely. They completely defeated the Christian army. Many Christian soldiers were killed. This terrible event became known as the Disaster of Moclín.
More than 2,800 Christian knights and soldiers died. Most of the knights from the Order of Santiago were killed. Their leader, Gonzalo Ruiz Girón, was badly hurt. He died from his wounds a few days later. When Prince Sancho heard about the disaster, he quickly ordered his remaining troops to hold their ground. This smart move stopped the entire Christian army from being completely wiped out.
After the Battle
After the disaster, the Christian troops regrouped. Prince Sancho then moved through Moclín and went into Granada. He continued fighting in that area. After his campaign, Sancho returned to Córdoba through Jaén. Records show he was back in Córdoba by August 7.
What Happened Next
A New Grand Master
As mentioned, Gonzalo Ruiz Girón, the Grand Master of the Order of Santiago, died from his injuries. He was buried in Alcaudete.
So many knights of the Order of Santiago had died. To prevent the order from disappearing, King Alfonso X of Castile took action. He combined the remaining members of another military order, the Order of Santa María de España, with the Order of Santiago. King Alfonso X had created the Order of Santa María de España himself. He then named Pedro Núñez as the new Grand Master of this combined order. The Order of Santa María de España stopped existing on its own.
See also
In Spanish: Batalla de Moclín (1280) para niños
- Order of Santa María de España
- Order of Santiago
- Alfonso X of Castile
- Sancho IV of Castile
- Reconquista
