Battle of Trancoso facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Trancoso
Part of 1383–1385 Crisis
Date 29 May 1385 Location Trancoso, Portugal Result Portuguese victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of Portugal	Crown of Castile
Commanders and leaders
Gonçalo Vasques Coutinho Martim Vasques da Cunha João Fernandes Pacheco	Juan Rodriguez de Castañeda
Strength
About 300 men	About 600 men
Casualties and losses
Unknown	400 dead 6 out of 7 captains killed

The Battle of Trancoso was an important fight that happened on May 29, 1385. It was a clash between the armies of the Kingdom of Portugal and the Crown of Castile. This battle took place near the town of Trancoso in Portugal. It was a key moment during a big conflict known as the 1383–1385 Crisis, which decided who would rule Portugal.

Why the Battle Happened

The Portuguese Crisis

To understand the Battle of Trancoso, we need to look at what was happening in Portugal. In 1383, King Ferdinand I of Portugal died without a male heir. This led to a big problem: who would be the next ruler? His daughter, Beatrice of Portugal, was married to John I of Castile, the King of Castile. Many Portuguese people worried that if Beatrice became queen, Portugal would lose its independence and become part of Castile.

A New King for Portugal

Because of these worries, many Portuguese nobles and common people supported João of Aviz, who was the half-brother of the late King Ferdinand. In April 1385, João of Aviz was crowned King of Portugal. This made King John I of Castile very angry. He believed he had a right to the Portuguese throne through his wife.

Castile's Invasion

To punish Portugal for choosing João of Aviz, King John I of Castile sent an army into Portugal. This army entered the region of Beira, which is in central Portugal. The Castilian soldiers caused a lot of damage. They took valuable things from towns and captured people. The city of Viseu, for example, was badly damaged and set on fire.

The Battle of Trancoso

The Portuguese Stand

As the Castilian army was returning to Castile, carrying all the things they had taken and the prisoners, a Portuguese army was waiting for them. The Portuguese forces were led by brave commanders like Gonçalo Vasques Coutinho, Martim Vasques da Cunha, and João Fernandes Pacheco.

A Clever Plan

The Portuguese army was smaller than the Castilian one. To make up for this, they used a smart tactic. They got off their horses and formed a strong defensive line. This made it harder for the Castilian cavalry (soldiers on horseback) to attack them effectively.

The Fight Begins

The Castilian soldiers attacked the Portuguese line again and again. But the Portuguese held their ground firmly. The Castilians became tired and disorganized from their repeated attacks.

Portuguese Victory

Eventually, the Castilian army was completely defeated. They suffered very heavy losses. Out of their seven main captains, six were killed in the battle. The Portuguese won a great victory!

After the Battle

Freedom and Recovery

After their win, the Portuguese army freed all the people who had been captured by the Castilians. They also got back all the valuable items that the Castilians had taken from their towns. This was a huge relief for the people of Beira.

Importance of Trancoso

The Battle of Trancoso was very important. It showed that the Portuguese were determined to fight for their independence. It also boosted the morale of the Portuguese people and their new king, João of Aviz. This victory helped pave the way for an even bigger and more famous battle, the Battle of Aljubarrota, which would finally secure Portugal's independence.

See also

• History of Portugal
• House of Avis
• Nuno Álvares Pereira
• Hundred Years War