Second Battle of Olmedo facts for kids
The Second Battle of Olmedo was an important fight that happened on August 20, 1467. It took place near a town called Olmedo in a region of Spain known as Castile. This battle was part of a bigger conflict called the War of the Castilian Succession. It was fought between King Henry IV of Castile and his younger half-brother, Prince Alfonso.
Contents
How the Armies Met
Prince Alfonso's army marched east along the Duero River valley. They were heading towards the center of Castile. King Henry's army, loyal to him, moved north from Cuéllar. Their goal was to stop Alfonso's forces near Medina del Campo. The two armies eventually met and clashed near Olmedo.
Who Fought for King Henry IV
King Henry IV's army was organized into different groups:
- The first group, called the vanguard, was led by Pedro de Velasco. His brothers Luis and Sancho, and his cousin Juan, also fought with him.
- The second group included the Marquess of Santillana, along with his brothers Hurtado and Pedro. Pedro was also a bishop. The royal guard, led by Juan Fernández Galindo, was also in this group.
- The last group, known as the rearguard, was commanded by Beltrán de la Cueva.
It's interesting that Juan Pacheco, a very important person, was not with King Henry's troops. He was busy trying to become the leader of the Order of Santiago.
Who Fought for Prince Alfonso
Prince Alfonso's side had many powerful supporters. These included the Archbishop of Toledo and the Archbishop of Seville. Several counts also fought for Alfonso, such as the Count of Luna, the Count of Plasencia, and the Count of Ribadeo. The Order of Calatrava, a military-religious group, also sent its troops to support Prince Alfonso. During the battle, Fernando de Fonseca, who was fighting for Alfonso, was killed by Beltrán de la Cueva.
What Happened After the Battle
The battle itself was seen as a tie, or a "stand-off." Because neither side clearly won, it was considered a victory for King Henry. However, after the battle, King Henry lost the support of some important people. Pedro Arias de Ávila and the Count of Alba stopped supporting him. The Count of Alba was convinced to switch sides by the Marquess of Villena and the Archbishop of Toledo, who offered him special favors.
See also
In Spanish: Batalla de Olmedo (1467) para niños
