Siege of Lisbon (1384) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Siege of Lisbon
Part of 1383–1385 Crisis
The Siege of Lisbon in the Chronicles of Jean Froissart
Date 29 May-3 September 1384 Location Lisbon, Portugal Result Portuguese victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of Portugal	Crown of Castile
Commanders and leaders
John I of Portugal Nuno Álvares Pereira	John I of Castile Fernando Sanchez de Tovar   † Pedro Fernández Cabeza de Vaca   † Rodrigo González Mejía  † Fernando Alfonso de Valencia  † Ruíz de Sandoval  † Pedro Rodriguez Sarmiento   †
Strength
Unknown	5,000 spearmen 1,000 Jinetes 6,000 crossbowmen "Countless" infantry soldiers
Casualties and losses
High	Very high

The Siege of Lisbon was a big battle that happened in the city of Lisbon, Portugal. It took place from May 29 to September 3, 1384. The Portuguese defenders, led by King John I of Portugal, fought against the Castilian army. The Castilian army was led by their King, John I of Castile. This siege was a huge disaster for Castile. A terrible sickness, called the plague, spread through the Castilian army. Also, constant attacks by Portuguese forces, led by Nuno Álvares Pereira, caused many deaths. Because of this, the Castilians had to leave after four months.

What Was the Siege of Lisbon?

A siege happens when an army surrounds a city. They try to stop food and supplies from getting in. This forces the people inside to give up. The Siege of Lisbon was a long fight for control of the city. It was a key part of a bigger conflict. This conflict was about who would rule Portugal.

Why Did the Siege Happen?

This siege was part of the 1383-1385 Crisis. This was a time when Portugal had no clear ruler. The old king of Portugal had died. King John I of Castile believed he should be the new king of Portugal. Many Portuguese people disagreed. They wanted their own ruler. They supported John I of Portugal, who was also known as the Master of Aviz.

King John I of Castile marched his army into Portugal. He wanted to take control of Lisbon, the capital city. If he captured Lisbon, he hoped all of Portugal would surrender.

The Armies and Their Leaders

The Castilian army was very large. It had thousands of soldiers, including spearmen, crossbowmen, and cavalry. Their leader was King John I of Castile. He was a powerful king who wanted to add Portugal to his kingdom.

Inside Lisbon, the Portuguese defenders were ready to fight. They were led by John I of Portugal. He was a brave leader who fought for Portugal's independence. Another important leader was Nuno Álvares Pereira. He was a skilled general who led many successful attacks against the Castilians.

The Siege Begins

On May 29, 1384, the Castilian army surrounded Lisbon. They set up camps around the city walls. They tried to stop anyone from entering or leaving. The Castilians also brought large war machines. These machines were used to throw rocks and break down the city walls.

The people of Lisbon were determined to defend their city. They had enough food and water for a while. They knew that if Lisbon fell, Portugal might lose its freedom.

The Plague Strikes

As the siege continued, a terrible sickness began to spread. This was the Black Death, a deadly plague that had affected Europe for many years. The Castilian army was camped close together. This made it easy for the disease to spread quickly among their soldiers.

Many Castilian soldiers became sick and died. The plague weakened their army greatly. It was hard for them to keep fighting when so many were ill. This was a huge problem for King John I of Castile.

Portuguese Attacks and the End of the Siege

Even with the siege, the Portuguese did not just wait. General Nuno Álvares Pereira led his forces in surprise attacks. They would sneak out of the city and attack the Castilian camps. These attacks caused more deaths and confusion among the Castilian soldiers.

Between the plague and the constant attacks, the Castilian army suffered huge losses. They were losing more and more men every day. After more than three months, King John I of Castile realized he could not win. On September 3, 1384, he ordered his army to retreat. The Siege of Lisbon was over.

What Happened Next?

The Portuguese victory at Lisbon was very important. It showed that Portugal could defend itself. It also helped John I of Portugal become the undisputed king. This siege was a key moment in Portugal's history. It helped Portugal remain an independent country.