Siege of Tortosa (1708) facts for kids

The Siege of Tortosa was an important battle that took place in the city of Tortosa, which is in Catalonia, Spain. This siege happened from June 12 to July 8, 1708, during a big conflict called the War of the Spanish Succession. It was a fight between two main groups: a combined French and Spanish army and a group of Catalan and British soldiers. The French and Spanish forces won, taking control of Tortosa and ending their opponents' hold on the region of Valencia.

What Was the War of the Spanish Succession?

The War of the Spanish Succession was a major European conflict that lasted from 1701 to 1714. It started because the King of Spain, Charles II, died without any children. This led to a big argument about who should become the next king. Many countries in Europe got involved, including France, Spain, Great Britain, and Austria. They all wanted to have their preferred person on the Spanish throne. The war was fought across many parts of Europe, including Spain itself.

Who Fought in the Siege of Tortosa?

During the Siege of Tortosa, two main sides faced off:

The French and Spanish Army

This powerful force had about 28,000 soldiers. They were led by two important commanders:

• Philippe II, Duke of Orléans: He was a French prince and a skilled military leader.
• Antoni de Villarroel: He was a Spanish general.

The Catalan and British Defenders

The defenders of Tortosa were a smaller group, with about 5,140 foot soldiers and 70 cavalry (soldiers on horseback). They were led by:

• Ignasi Minguella
• Francesc Montagut
• General Jones

What Happened During the Siege?

The French and Spanish army surrounded the city of Tortosa. A "siege" means that an army tries to take a city by surrounding it and cutting off its supplies. They also often attack the city's walls until the people inside give up. The siege of Tortosa lasted for almost a month. The larger French and Spanish army steadily attacked the city's defenses.

What Was the Outcome?

After weeks of fighting, the defending Catalan and British forces could not hold out any longer. On July 8, 1708, the city of Tortosa was taken by the French and Spanish army. This victory was very important for them. It helped them gain more control in the region and ended the occupation of Valencia by their opponents.

See also

In Spanish: Sitio de Tortosa (1708) para niños