Battle of Montmeló facts for kids
The Battle of Montmeló was an important fight that happened on March 28, 1642. It took place in a town called Montmeló in Catalonia, which is a part of Spain. This battle was part of a bigger conflict known as the Reapers' War. It was also part of the longer Franco-Spanish War (1635–59).
In this battle, an army from France and Catalonia worked together. They fought against a smaller army from Spain. The French and Catalan forces won the battle.
Quick facts for kids Battle of Montmeló |
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| Part of Reapers' War and the Franco-Spanish War (1635–59) |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Kingdom of France Principality of Catalonia |
 Spain |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
 Philippe de La Mothe Josep Margarit |
 Gerolamo Caracciolo |
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| Strength | |||||||
| 8,000 | 4,500 | ||||||
Contents
What Was the Reapers' War?
The Reapers' War was a big conflict that happened in Catalonia. It started in 1640 and lasted until 1659. The people of Catalonia were fighting against the King of Spain. They wanted more freedom and control over their own region.
Why Did the War Start?
The war began because of disagreements with the Spanish government. Catalonia felt that Spain was not respecting their local laws and traditions. They also disliked the presence of Spanish soldiers in their land.
How Did France Get Involved?
To get help, Catalonia asked France for support. France was already fighting Spain in another war. So, France agreed to help Catalonia. This made the Reapers' War part of the larger Franco-Spanish War.
Who Fought at Montmeló?
The Battle of Montmeló involved two main sides. One side was the combined army of France and Catalonia. The other side was the army of Spain.
The Franco-Catalan Forces
The French and Catalan army was led by Philippe de La Mothe-Houdancourt. He was a French general. The Catalan forces were led by Josep Margarit. Together, they had about 8,000 soldiers.
The Spanish Forces
The Spanish army was smaller, with about 4,500 soldiers. Their commander was Gerolamo Caracciolo. He was a general from Spain.
What Happened During the Battle?
The battle took place on March 28, 1642, near Montmeló. The Franco-Catalan army attacked the Spanish forces. Even though the Spanish fought hard, they were outnumbered.
The Outcome of the Battle
The battle ended with a clear victory for the Franco-Catalan side. They defeated the Spanish army. This win was important for the French and Catalans during the Reapers' War. It helped them gain an advantage in the conflict.
