Battle of Vilanova facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Vilanova |
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| Part of the Portuguese Restoration War | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Portugal |
 Spain |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Count of Castelo Melhor | Marquis of Viana | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 5,500 infantry, 500 cavalry |
4,000 infantry, 3,000 militia, 2,000 sappers, 700 cavalry |
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| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 250 killed 380 wounded 260 prisoners |
38 killed 60 wounded |
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The Battle of Vilanova was an important fight during the Portuguese Restoration War. It happened on September 17, 1658. The battle took place near the Fort of São Luis de Gonzaga, close to the Minho River in Portugal.
A Spanish army, led by Rodrigo Pimentel, the Marquis of Viana, entered Portugal. They faced a Portuguese army, led by João Rodrigues de Vasconcelos e Sousa, the Count of Castelo Melhor. The Spanish army won this battle. After their victory, they went on to capture other Portuguese towns like Monção and Salvaterra de Miño in the following months.
Why the Battle Happened
After King John IV of Portugal died in 1656, Spain launched many attacks. They wanted to take back control of Portugal. Most attacks came from a region called Extremadura. But Spain also opened a second front in Galicia. This was to make Portugal split its army.
The Spanish governor of Galicia, Vicente de Gonzaga, tried to capture the town of Salvatierra de Miño. Portugal had held this town since 1642. But Gonzaga didn't have enough soldiers, so he had to stop his attack. However, he ordered a new fort to be built. This fort, called São Luis de Gonzaga, was on a hill near the Minho River. It was close to the Portuguese towns of Valença do Minho and Vila Nova de Cerveira.
In 1657, a Portuguese army, led by the Count of Castelo Melhor, attacked this new fort. They managed to capture it the next year.
A new Spanish governor for Galicia was chosen in May 1658. His name was Rodrigo Pimentel, the Marquis of Viana. King Philip IV of Spain told him to get back Salvatierra de Miño and other important towns. The Marquis of Viana set up his main base in Tui. He gathered a large army there. This army included many foot soldiers, militia, engineers, and cavalry (soldiers on horseback).
The Battle
The Spanish army left Pontevedra on September 6. They crossed the Miño River on September 12 and entered Portuguese land. Along their way, they attacked and captured three Portuguese forts. This fight cost the Spanish 20 men, but the Portuguese lost 100 soldiers.
On September 17, the Portuguese army came closer to the Spanish. The Portuguese army had about 5,500 foot soldiers and 500 cavalry. It was led by João Rodrigues de Vasconcelos e Sousa, the Count of Castelo Melhor.
The Marquis of Viana led the main Spanish attack from Vila Nova de Cerveira. Another Spanish general led a second attack from Valença do Minho. Spanish musketeers (soldiers with guns) started to bother the Portuguese army. The Marquis of Viana was told that the Count of Castelo Melhor seemed to want to retreat.
To stop the Portuguese from leaving, the Spanish cavalry and foot soldiers attacked. They found the Portuguese army dug in on a slope. The Spanish charged and broke through the Portuguese lines. The Portuguese cavalry was defeated, and then their foot soldiers ran away.
The Spanish lost 18 soldiers killed and about 60 wounded. The Portuguese lost many more. They had 250 soldiers killed, 380 wounded, and 260 taken prisoner. Among the prisoners were 28 officers, including the Count of Vimieiro. In total, the Count of Castelo Melhor lost about 900 men.
What Happened Next
The day after the battle, the Spanish army captured several watchtowers and small villages. The Count of Castelo Melhor retreated to Covas de Ponte de Lima. Spanish cavalry chased him and took supplies from the area before rejoining their main army.
On September 30, the Marquis of Viana attacked the fortress of Lapela. This was his first goal. The Spanish captured the village on October 6. Its 150 soldiers were taken prisoner.
The Spanish also attacked Monção. This town fell to the Spanish on January 7, 1659. The fight for Monção was very costly for both sides. The Count of Castelo Melhor died of illness during the winter. He could not stop the town from falling. The main goal of the Spanish campaign was to get back Salvatierra de Miño. They achieved this on February 17, 1659.
See also
In Spanish: Batalla de Vilanova para niños
