Battle of the Col de Panissars facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of the Col de Panissars
Part of the Aragonese Crusade
"Peter III the Great at Col de Panissars", 1889, by Mariano Barbasán.
Date 30 September–1 October 1285 Location Pyrenean pass, Principality of Catalonia Result Aragonese victory
Belligerents
Crown of Aragon	Kingdom of France
Commanders and leaders
Peter III of Aragon Ramon of Montcada and Roger of Lauria	Philip III of France

Peter the Great with his Almogavars at the Battle of the Col de Panissars, 1866, by Bartomeu Ribó Térriz

The Battle of the Col de Panissars was a major fight that happened on September 30 and October 1, 1285. It was fought between the armies of Philip III of France and Peter III of Aragon. This battle was a big loss for the French. They were already trying to retreat over the Pyrenees mountains when the Aragonese army attacked them.

This battle was the very last one in the Aragonese Crusade. This "crusade" was a war supported by the Pope. Its goal was to put Charles of Valois on the throne of Aragon instead of King Peter III. King Peter had upset the Pope by taking control of Sicily. The Battle of Col de Panissars happened right after a big naval (sea) victory for Aragon at Les Formigues on September 4.

Where was the Battle of Col de Panissars?

The Col de Panissars is a mountain pass in the Pyrenees mountains. It's located in Catalonia, a region in modern-day Spain. In the Middle Ages, this pass was the main way to cross the Pyrenees. The ancient Romans even called it the Summum Pyrenæum, meaning "Highest Pyrenees". Today, a different pass, the Col du Perthus, is used more often. It's only about one kilometer away.

How did the Battle of Col de Panissars happen?

King Peter of Aragon had promised to let the French king and his family pass safely. However, the Aragonese troops still attacked the French army as they were retreating. The French army was already very weak. Many soldiers were sick with dysentery, a serious illness.

King Peter gave the job of leading the first attack to Ramon de Montcada and his special soldiers called Almogàvers. These Almogàvers were fierce fighters. They defeated many tired French soldiers but made sure not to harm the French royal family.

After this first attack, Roger de Lauria led a second attack. Roger de Lauria was a skilled admiral. He had just led the Aragonese fleet to victory against the French at sea in the Battle of Les Formigues. Then, he brought his soldiers ashore to fight on land.

The combination of these attacks led to a complete defeat for the French. They lost many more soldiers. It was a clear victory for Aragon. According to the writings of Ramon Muntaner, a historian from that time, the celebrations in Barcelona after the victory lasted for eight days!

What was the Battle of Col de Panissars' impact?

Years later, in 1302, Charles of Valois (the same person the Pope wanted to be king of Aragon) went to Sicily. He was there to support Charles II of Naples against Frederick III of Sicily. Frederick was King Peter's son. Frederick reminded Charles of how his father, King Peter, had shown kindness to Charles's family at the Col de Panissars. Charles admitted that he should be grateful. Because of this, he stopped fighting and signed a peace treaty called the Peace of Caltabellotta. This shows how important that act of mercy was.

Sources of Information

• Chaytor, H. J. A History of Aragon and Catalonia

See also

In Spanish: Batalla del Collado de las Panizas para niños