Third Fernandine War facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Third Fernandine War
Part of the Fernandine Wars
Coat of arms of the King John I of Castile.
Date 1381–1382 Location Portugal, Spain and Atlantic Ocean Result Decisive victory of John I of Castile Castilian supremacy in the Atlantic Ocean Treaty of Elvas 1383–1385 Crisis
Belligerents
Kingdom of Portugal Kingdom of England	Crown of Castile
Commanders and leaders
Ferdinand I of Portugal João Afonso Telo Richard II of England Duke of Lancaster	John I of Castile Fernando Sánchez de Tovar

The Third Fernandine War was a short but important conflict. It happened between 1381 and 1382. This war was the last part of a series of fights called the Fernandine Wars. It was fought between the Crown of Castile on one side, and the Kingdoms of Portugal and England on the other. The war started because John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster believed he should be the king of Castile. He found an ally in Ferdinand I of Portugal, the King of Portugal.

Forming an Alliance: Portugal and England

In 1381, King Ferdinand I of Portugal decided to attack Castile. This started the Third Fernandine War. He broke a peace agreement from 1373 to do this. To help him, King Ferdinand made an alliance with England. At that time, the young King Richard II of England ruled England.

John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster also wanted to be the King of Castile. He had claimed the throne since 1371. This new alliance with Portugal seemed like a good way to make his claim stronger. In June, the Duke of Lancaster sent an English army to Lisbon. This army included famous English archers. They were led by the Earl of Cambridge. Their job was to help the Portuguese troops invade Castilian land.

Portugal's Sea Attack

King Ferdinand of Portugal wanted to protect the English soldiers arriving by sea. He planned a naval attack against the Castilian fleet. This fleet was docked in Seville. In July 1381, a Portuguese fleet sailed from Lisbon. It was led by João Afonso Telo. Their goal was to block the Castilian fleet at the mouth of the Guadalquivir river.

However, the Castilian Admiral Fernando Sánchez de Tovar sailed his fleet out. He headed towards the Portuguese coast. The Portuguese fleet was badly beaten by Don Fernando Sánchez de Tovar's fleet. This battle was called the Battle of the Saltes Island. After this, the Castilian fleet had full control of the Atlantic Ocean. Meanwhile, the English troops landed safely in Lisbon.

Castile Fights Back in 1382

King Ferdinand I of Portugal was tired of the war. His forces had lost many battles to the Castilians. He began to think about making peace with Castile. In 1382, the Castilians launched a strong attack. King John I of Castile and Admiral Fernando Sánchez de Tovar led this offensive. They attacked by both land and sea.

The Castilian forces reached the gates of Lisbon. This finally forced the King of Portugal to sign a peace treaty. The Castilians won a very good deal for themselves. This peace was made in August with King John I. It was called the Treaty of Elvas of 1382.

What Happened Next

The Castilians won the war. The Crown of Castile became the strongest military power in the Atlantic Ocean. The peace treaty had an important condition. Beatrice of Portugal, who was King Ferdinand I's daughter and heir, had to marry King John I of Castile. This marriage meant that Portugal would practically become part of the Crown of Castile.

However, many Portuguese nobles did not like this plan. This disagreement led to a big problem later. It caused the important crisis of 1383-1385. On October 22, King Ferdinand died. According to the marriage agreement, his wife, Queen Leonor Telles de Menezes, became the ruler. She ruled for her daughter Beatrice and son-in-law, John I of Castile. Since talking things out didn't work, people who wanted Portugal to be independent took stronger actions. This started the 1383-1385 crisis.

Images for kids

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  King Ferdinand I of Portugal.

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  King John I of Castile.

See also

• Hundred Years' War
• Castilian Civil War
• Medieval Spain
• List of Castilian monarchs
• List of English monarchs
• List of Portuguese monarchs