Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo (1707) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo
Part of War of the Spanish Succession
Date 18 September 1707 – 4 October 1707 (2 weeks and 2 days) Location Ciudad Rodrigo, Crown of Castile, Spain Result Franco-Spanish victory.
Belligerents
Pro-Bourbon Spain  France	Great Britain Portugal
Commanders and leaders
Marquis de Bay	Unknown
Strength
9,500	3,000 1,400 regulars 1,600 militia
Casualties and losses
	3,000 300 killed 600 wounded 2,100 captured

The Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo was an important event that happened in Spain in 1707. It was part of a bigger conflict called the War of the Spanish Succession. During this siege, a combined army from France and Spain attacked and took control of the city of Ciudad Rodrigo.

What Was the Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo?

A siege is when an army surrounds a city or fortress to cut off its supplies. The goal is to force the people inside to surrender. The Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo lasted for a few weeks in the autumn of 1707.

The city of Ciudad Rodrigo is located in Spain. It was a key place during the War of the Spanish Succession. This war was fought to decide who would be the next king of Spain.

Key Events of the Siege

Before 1707, Ciudad Rodrigo had already been captured once. In May 1706, a large army of about 40,000 soldiers took the city. These soldiers were from Portugal, the Netherlands, and England. They were led by commanders like Henri de Massue, Earl of Galway.

About a year later, on September 18, 1707, a new army arrived at Ciudad Rodrigo. This army was made up of soldiers from France and Spain. Their leader was a general named Alexandre Maître, Marquis de Bay. They surrounded the city and began their attack.

The siege continued for several weeks. The French and Spanish forces kept attacking the city's walls. Finally, on October 4, 1707, they managed to break through. The city was then stormed, meaning the soldiers rushed in.

The Outcome and Impact

After the city was stormed, the defenders of Ciudad Rodrigo had to give up. This was a big victory for the French and Spanish army.

Many soldiers were affected by the fighting. About 300 soldiers were killed during the siege. Another 600 soldiers were wounded. A large number, around 2,100 soldiers, were captured by the attacking army.

This victory helped the French and Spanish side in the War of the Spanish Succession. It showed their strength in taking important cities.

See also

In Spanish: Sitio de Ciudad Rodrigo (1707) para niños