Battle of St. Kitts (1629) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of St. Kitts (1629)
Part of the Anglo-Spanish Wars
The Capture of Saint Cristopher (St. Kitts) by Félix Castello Oil on canvas (1634) El Prado Museum
Date 17 June – 7 September 1629 Location Saint Kitts and Nevis Result Spanish victory Spanish capture of Saint Kitts and Nevis
Belligerents
Spain	England  France
Commanders and leaders
Fadrique de Toledo Antonio de Oquendo	John Wilton
Strength
4,000 men 20 galleons	3,000 settlers
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Several ships destroyed 9 ships captured 171 artillery pieces taken 3,100 prisoners

The Battle of St. Kitts was an important event during the Anglo-Spanish War (1625–30). In 1629, a Spanish fleet attacked and took control of the islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis. These islands were shared by English and French settlers at the time.

Why the Battle Happened

By 1629, the English and French colonies on St. Kitts and Nevis were growing fast. About 3,000 English settlers lived there. They also had many guns and ammunition.

Spain saw these growing colonies as a danger to their own lands in the Spanish West Indies. The Spanish king ordered his fleet, called the Armada de Sotavento, to remove the English and French from the islands.

The Spanish Attack

The Spanish fleet was led by Admiral Fadrique Álvarez de Toledo Osorio. They first arrived at Nevis Island. There, they quickly captured and destroyed several English ships. Spanish soldiers then landed on the island. They destroyed the new buildings and captured many settlers.

During the attack on Nevis, some workers on the island left their English employers. They swam out to the Spanish ships, shouting for "Liberty!" These workers hoped to gain freedom by joining the Spanish forces.

On September 7, 1629, the Spanish fleet moved to the nearby island of Saint Kitts. They burned down the entire settlement there.

What Happened Next

After the battle, the Spanish allowed about 700 colonists to return to England by ship. However, between 200 and 400 other colonists managed to escape. They hid in the hills and forests of the island.

In 1630, Spain and England signed an agreement called the Treaty of Madrid (1630). After this treaty, the Spanish left St. Kitts. They gave the island back to England. The colonists who had hidden then returned to their farms. They helped to start a new period of settlement on the island.

See also

In Spanish: Batalla de San Cristóbal (1629) para niños