Spanish conquest of Sardinia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Spanish expedition to Sardinia
Part of War of the Quadruple Alliance
View of the town of Castellaragonese (Spanish: Castillo Aragonés)
Date 22 August – 30 October 1717 Location Sardinia, Holy Roman Empire (present-day Italy) Result Spanish victory Spanish conquest of Sardinia Formation of the Quadruple Alliance
Belligerents
Spain	Holy Roman Empire
Commanders and leaders
Marquis of Lede Duke of Montemar	Marquis of Rubí
Strength
9,000 men 9 ships of the line 6 frigates 3 galleys 2 fireships 80 transport ships	Unknown

The Spanish conquest of Sardinia was a quick military event that happened from August 22 to October 30, 1717. It was the first fight between Spain and the Holy Roman Empire after a big war called the War of the Spanish Succession. This event directly led to another conflict, the War of the Quadruple Alliance.

Spanish troops, led by the Marquis of Lede and Don José Carrillo de Albornoz, 1st Duke of Montemar, easily defeated the Emperor's forces. With help from the Spanish navy, they took over the entire island of Sardinia. Sardinia had been controlled by the Emperor since 1714, but after this conquest, it returned to Spanish rule for good.

Why Spain Invaded Sardinia

After the War of the Spanish Succession, Spain lost many of its lands in Europe. These included Sardinia, parts of Italy, and the Low Countries. The Kingdom of Sardinia, the Spanish Netherlands, the Duchy of Milan, and the Kingdom of Naples were given to Austria. The island of Sicily went to the Duke of Savoy.

These lands had been part of Spain for almost 200 years. Losing them was a big blow to Spain's power and pride.

By 1717, Spain was becoming a strong military power again. King Philip V of Spain wanted to get back Spain's leading position in Italy and the Mediterranean Sea. Other European powers like Great Britain, France, and Austria wanted to keep the peace made by the Treaty of Utrecht (1713). They thought about giving Sicily to Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI.

However, Spain did not like this plan because they wanted Sicily back for themselves. When the Austrians arrested a Spanish official named Jose Molina in Milan, King Philip V had the perfect reason to act. In July, he ordered the Spanish fleet, which was ready in Barcelona, to conquer Sardinia. This started the fighting with Austria.

How Spain Conquered Sardinia

Most of the Spanish ships left the port of Barcelona on July 24, 1717. The rest of the fleet sailed a few days later, on July 30. The fleet was led by the Marquis de Mari. It included nine large warships, six smaller warships called frigates, three galleys, two fireships, and 80 transport ships. The army had 8,500 foot soldiers and 500 cavalry (soldiers on horseback). This force was commanded by the Marquis of Lede.

On August 22, Spanish forces landed on Sardinia. In just two months, they took back the entire island. The island's defenses were led by the Marquis of Rubi. The quick victory happened mostly because of the Marquis of San Felipe. He traveled around the island, encouraging the Sardinians. They were not happy with Austrian rule and preferred to be under Spanish control again.

Only a few strongholds resisted the Spanish. These were Alghero, Castellaragonese, and the important city of Cagliari. The Austrian troops in Cagliari, led by Rubi, had no help coming. So, they decided to escape to the north of the island. On October 4, the Spanish took Cagliari.

A few days later, on October 19, Spanish troops led by Lede and the Duke of Montemar surrounded Alghero. The city gave up on October 25. Castellaragonese fell on October 30, and the Spanish had won completely.

What Happened Next

At first, Austria did not react much to this invasion. Austria was busy fighting a war against the Ottoman Empire (1716–18). The Austrian commander, Prince Eugene of Savoy, wanted to avoid a big war with Spain in Italy. The war between the Ottoman Empire and Austria ended with the Treaty of Passarowitz. This led to the creation of the Quadruple Alliance on August 2, 1718.

Meanwhile, in July 1718, the Spanish invaded Sicily. This time, they had 30,000 men, including four regiments of dragoons. The Marquis of Lede led them again, with a fleet of 350 ships and over 250 cannons. Spanish forces captured Palermo on July 7. Then, they split their army into two groups. De Lede went along the coast to surround Messina, while the Duke of Montemar conquered the rest of the island.

France, Austria, and Britain demanded that Spain leave Sicily and Sardinia. Victor Amadeus II of Savoy was unsure what to do. He talked with the Spanish Prime Minister, Cardinal Alberoni, about forming an alliance against Austria. In the end, after this war, Spain had to give up Sardinia under the terms of the Treaty of The Hague.

Images for kids

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  Equestrian portrait of Philip V of Spain

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  Victor Amadeus II of Savoy

See also

• Isabella Farnese
• List of viceroys of Sardinia
• List of viceroys of Sicily
• Triple Alliance

In Spanish: Conquista española de Cerdeña para niños