Timeline of the Peninsular War facts for kids

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The Peninsular War was a big fight in Europe between 1807 and 1814. It was part of the larger Napoleonic Wars. This war was mainly about who would control the Iberian Peninsula, which is where Spain and Portugal are located.

The main groups fighting were France on one side, and Spain, the United Kingdom, and Portugal on the other. It all started when French and Spanish armies, who were friends at the time, took over Portugal in 1807. But then, in 1808, France turned against Spain, and the war really heated up. This conflict lasted until Napoleon was defeated in 1814. It's seen as one of the first wars where people fought to free their country. It also saw the rise of "guerrilla warfare," where small groups of fighters used surprise attacks. British and Portuguese forces eventually made Portugal a safe base. From there, they launched attacks against the French army. Spanish and Portuguese guerrilla fighters also made it hard for the French to control the land.

In Spain, this war is often called the Spanish War of Independence. It began with a big uprising in Madrid on May 2, 1808. Even though Spain had been in chaos before, May 1808 marked the real start of their fight for freedom. The French takeover broke up Spain's government. Many local groups, called juntas, formed but often argued. In 1810, a new national government, the Cortes of Cádiz, formed in Cádiz. This city was like a government-in-exile. It was surrounded by up to 70,000 French soldiers. But Cádiz managed to hold out for over two years, becoming the only city in mainland Europe that Napoleon couldn't conquer. The combined efforts of regular armies and guerrilla fighters kept Napoleon's generals from fully controlling Spain. The war continued for years with no clear winner.

The war began in Portugal. But most of the fighting happened in Spain. As the French army was pushed back, the final battles took place in France itself.

Key Events of the War
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Key Events of the War

1807: The War Begins

October 1807: French troops entered Spain on their way to Portugal. General Junot led about 25,000 soldiers.
October 27, 1807: The Treaty of Fontainebleau was signed by Spain's King Charles IV and Napoleon. This agreement planned to divide Portugal and its lands between them.
November 19–30, 1807: France invaded Portugal.
November 29, 1807: The Portuguese Royal Family, led by Prince John, sailed to Brazil. The British Navy helped them escape.
November 30, 1807: General Junot's French army occupied Lisbon, the capital of Portugal.
December 1, 1807: The first anti-French riots broke out in Lisbon.
December 13, 1807: More riots happened in Lisbon when Junot ordered the French flag to replace the Portuguese flag. French cavalry had to break up the angry crowds.

1808: Spain Fights Back

February 1808: General Junot removed Portugal's government and sent 6,000 Portuguese soldiers to France.
February 10, 1808: French troops entered Catalonia, a region in Spain.
February 16, 1808: French troops took the Citadel of Pamplona in a surprise attack.
February 29, 1808: The French also took the Citadel of Barcelona in a similar surprise move.
March 10, 1808: Napoleon's brother-in-law, Joachim Murat, arrived in Spain to lead all French forces.
March 17–19, 1808: The Mutiny of Aranjuez happened. This was a revolt that led to King Charles IV of Spain dismissing his chief minister, Manuel Godoy.
March 18, 1808: The French seized the Sant Ferran Castle in Figueras, another Spanish fortress.
March 19, 1808: King Charles IV of Spain gave up his throne to his son, Ferdinand VII.
March 23, 1808: Murat and 40,000 French troops entered Madrid, the capital of Spain.
May 2, 1808: The Dos de Mayo Uprising happened in Madrid. This was a major rebellion against the French. Fighting spread through the city, and many people died. This event is shown in famous paintings by Goya.
May 6, 1808: Ferdinand VII also gave up his throne.
May 9, 1808: An uprising began in Oviedo, Spain.
May 23, 1808: An uprising started in Valencia, Spain.
May 24, 1808: An uprising began in Zaragoza, Spain.
June 5, 1808: Spanish guerrilla fighters attacked French soldiers at Despeñaperros, forcing them to retreat.
June 5, 1808: In Santa Cruz de Mudela, Spanish people attacked 700 French troops. Many French soldiers were killed or captured.
June 5–6, 1808: A terrible massacre of French citizens happened in Valencia.
June 6, 1808: In Valdepeñas, Spanish people fought French troops, forcing them to agree not to pass through the village. These actions cut off French communication between Madrid and Andalusia for about a month.
June 6, 1808: An uprising in Porto, Portugal, led to Spanish troops joining the fight against the French. This sparked many revolts in northern Portugal.
June 6, 1808: Napoleon's older brother, Joseph Bonaparte, was made King of Spain.
June 6, 1808: The First Battle of Bruch in Catalonia was a Spanish victory.
June 7, 1808: The French won the Battle of Alcolea Bridge and captured Córdoba. French troops looted Córdoba for four days.
June 9–14, 1808: Spanish forces captured the French Rosily Squadron in Cádiz.
June 11, 1808: General Junot arrested Spanish troops still in Portugal.
June 12, 1808: The French won the Battle of Cabezón in Spain.
June 14, 1808: The Second Battle of Bruch was another Spanish victory.
June 15 – August 14, 1808: The First Siege of Zaragoza was a Spanish victory.
June 16, 1808: Portuguese civilians revolted in Olhão, expelling French forces.
June 18, 1808: An uprising in Faro, Portugal, led to the capture of French General Maurin.
June 20–21, 1808: The Battle of Girona was a Spanish victory.
June 26–28, 1808: The Battle of Valencia was a Spanish victory.
June 26, 1808: French troops sacked the town of Vila Viçosa in Portugal.
June 26, 1808: French troops sacked the town of Beja in Portugal.
July 14, 1808: The French won the Battle of Medina de Rioseco in Spain.
July 16–19, 1808: The Battle of Bailén was a decisive Spanish victory. French General Dupont surrendered his 17,600 men. Many French soldiers were imprisoned on ships or sent to an island where half of them died.
July 24 – August 16, 1808: The Second Siege of Girona was a Spanish victory.
July 29, 1808: The French won the Battle of Évora in Portugal. The next day, French General Loison massacred many people in Évora.
August 17, 1808: The Battle of Roliça in Portugal was the first battle for the British army in the Peninsular War. It was an Anglo-Portuguese victory.
August 21, 1808: The Battle of Vimeiro in Portugal was an Anglo-Portuguese victory. This defeat led to the Convention of Sintra on August 30, 1808.
August 30, 1808: The Convention of Sintra was signed. This agreement allowed French troops to leave Portugal with their equipment and stolen goods. This caused public anger in Britain.
September 10–20, 1808: Spanish forces relieved Bilbao, a city in Spain.
October 12, 1808: The Combat of San Cugat was a Spanish victory.
October 31, 1808: The Battle of Zornoza was indecisive.
November 5, 1808: The Battle of Valmaseda was a Spanish victory.
November 7 – December 5, 1808: The Siege of Roses was a French victory.
November 10, 1808: The French won the Battle of Gamonal and the Battle of Espinosa.
November 23, 1808: The French and Polish forces won the Battle of Tudela.
November 30, 1808: The French won the Battle of Somosierra. This battle is famous for a daring uphill charge by Polish cavalry against Spanish artillery. Napoleon entered Madrid on December 4.
December 4, 1808: Napoleon entered Madrid with 80,000 troops.
December 16, 1808: The French won the Battle of Cardadeu.
December 20, 1808 – February 20, 1809: The Second Siege of Zaragoza was a French victory.
December 21, 1808: The French won the Battle of Molins de Rey.
December 21, 1808: The British won the Battle of Sahagún.
December 25, 1808: British General John Moore began a long retreat to Corunna.
December 29, 1808: A massacre happened in Chinchón, Spain. French troops killed 86 people and burned buildings in revenge for the murder of four French soldiers.
December 29, 1808: The British won the Battle of Benavente.
December 30, 1808: The French won the Battle of Mansilla.

1809: More Battles and Changes

January 1, 1809: The Spanish won the Battle of Castellón.
January 3, 1809: The British won the Battle of Cacabelos.
January 13, 1809: The French won the Battle of Uclés.
January 14, 1809: Britain and Spain signed a treaty of peace and friendship.
January 16, 1809: The Battle of Corunna was a British tactical victory. British troops were able to leave, but the French captured Corunna and Ferrol. The British commander, Sir John Moore, was badly wounded and died.
January 18, 1809: The French captured Corunna and Ferrol.
February 25, 1809: The French won the Battle of Valls.
March 6–7, 1809: The French won the Battle of Monterey.
March 7, 1809: British General William Beresford was made the leader of the Portuguese Army.
March 10, 1809: Spanish irregular troops captured the French garrison at Aguilar de Campoo.
March 10–12, 1809: The French won the First Siege of Chaves.
March 17, 1809: The Spanish won the Battle of Villafranca.
March 17, 1809: The French won the Combat of Mesas de Ibor.
March 20, 1809: The French won the Battle of Braga.
March 20, 1809: The Spanish won the Combat of Berrocal.
March 21, 1809: The Spanish won the Battle of Miajadas.
March 21–25, 1809: The Portuguese won the Second Siege of Chaves.
March 24, 1809: The Spanish won the Battle of Los Yébenes.
March 27, 1809: The French and Polish forces won the Battle of Ciudad Real.
March 27, 1809: British and Spanish forces captured Vigo.
March 28, 1809: The French won the Battle of Medellín.
March 28, 1809: The French won the First Battle of Porto.
April 18 – May 2, 1809: The French won the Battle of the Bridge of Amarante. Portuguese troops held out for almost two weeks.
April 22, 1809: The Anglo-Portuguese Army was created. British and Portuguese soldiers were put into mixed divisions.
May 6 – December 12, 1809: The Third Siege of Girona was a French victory.
May 10–11, 1809: The Anglo-Portuguese forces won the Battle of Grijó.
May 12, 1809: The Second Battle of Porto was a decisive Anglo-Portuguese victory. Wellington's troops defeated the French, forcing them out of Portugal.
May 14, 1809: The French won the Battle of Alcantara.
May 22, 1809: The Spanish won the Combat at Campo de Estrella.
May 23, 1809: The Spanish won the Battle of Alcañiz.
June 7–9, 1809: The Spanish won the Battle of Puente Sanpayo.
June 15, 1809: The French won the Battle of María.
June 18, 1809: The French won the Battle of Belchite.
July 27–28, 1809: The Battle of Talavera was an Anglo-Spanish victory. However, Wellington had to return to Portugal because French forces threatened his supply lines.
August 8, 1809: The French won the Battle of Arzobispo.
August 11, 1809: The French won the Battle of Almonacid.
August 12, 1809: The French won the Battle of Puerto de Baños.
October 9, 1809: The Spanish won the Combat of Astorga.
October 18, 1809: The Spanish won the Battle of Tamames.
October 25, 1809: The British won the Battle of Maguelone, a naval battle.
October 26, 1809: Wellington ordered the building of the Lines of Torres Vedras. These were strong defensive lines around Lisbon.
November 11, 1809: The French won the Combat of Ocaña.
November 18, 1809: The French won the Combat of Ontigola. This was a very large cavalry battle.
November 19, 1809: The Battle of Ocaña was a major French victory. It was the biggest defeat for the Spanish army, with thousands killed, wounded, or captured.
November 23, 1809: The Spanish won the Battle of Carpio.
November 26, 1809: The French won the Battle of Alba de Tormes.

1810: French Advance and New Defenses

January 21, 1810: The Spanish won the Battle of Mollet.
January 31, 1810: The French captured Oviedo, Spain.
February 1, 1810: The French captured Seville, Spain.
February 5, 1810 – August 24, 1812: The Siege of Cádiz began. The Spanish government was safe inside Cádiz, which was surrounded by 70,000 French troops.
February 14, 1810: The French captured Oviedo again.
February 20, 1810: The French won the Battle of Vich.
March 19, 1810: The Spanish won a skirmish at Grado, forcing the French to retreat.
March 21, 1810: The Spanish won the Battle of Vilafranca.
March 21 – April 22, 1810: The French won the Siege of Astorga.
March 29, 1810: The French captured Oviedo for the fourth time.
April 5, 1810: The Spanish won the Battle of Manresa.
April 23, 1810: The French won the Battle of Margalef.
April 26 – July 9, 1810: The French won the First Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo.
April 29 – May 13, 1810: The French won the Siege of Lleida.
May 15 – June 8, 1810: The French won the Siege of Mequinenza.
July 11, 1810: The French won the Combat of Barquilla.
July 11, 1810: British and Spanish forces landed at Santoña.
July 24, 1810: The French won the Battle of the Côa in Portugal.
July 25 – August 27, 1810: The French won the First Siege of Almeida in Portugal.
July 29, 1810: The French captured Sanabria, but Spanish forces later recaptured it.
August 11, 1810: The French won the Combat of Villagarcia.
September 10, 1810: English forces stormed a coastal battery at Bagur, capturing 50 men.
September 14, 1810: The Anglo-Spanish forces won the Battle of La Bisbal.
September 14, 1810: Anglo-Spanish forces also won actions at Palamos, San Feliu, and Calonje, capturing many French soldiers.
September 15, 1810: The French won the Battle of Fuente de Cantos.
September 24, 1810: The Cortes of Cádiz held its first meeting.
September 27, 1810: The Battle of Bussaco in Portugal was an Anglo-Portuguese victory. Wellington's army defeated a larger French force.
October 1–2, 1810: French troops looted the city of Coimbra, Portugal, for two days.
October 6, 1810: Portuguese militia, led by Nicholas Trant, recaptured Coimbra.
October 13–14, 1810: The Anglo-Portuguese forces won the Battle of Sobral.
October 14 – November 2, 1810: The Cantabrian Expedition was a joint Anglo-Spanish effort to establish a base and cut off French supplies.
October 15, 1810: The Polish-French forces won the Battle of Fuengirola.
October 18, 1810: French Marshal Macdonald's troops looted and burned the cathedral in Solsona, Spain.
October 21, 1810: The Spanish won the Combat of Cardona.
October 31, 1810: The French won the Combat at Alventosa.
November 4, 1810: The French won the Battle of Baza.
November 11, 1810: The French won the Combat at Fuensanta.
December 16, 1810 – January 2, 1811: The French won the Siege of Tortosa.
December 25, 1810: The French won the Combat at Palamós.
December 31, 1810: The French won the Combat of Ponte do Abbade.

1811: Allies Push Back

January 11, 1811: The French won the Combat of Vila da Ponte.
January 15, 1811: The Spanish won the Battle of Pla.
January 19–22, 1811: The French won the Siege of Olivenza.
January 26 – March 11, 1811: The French won the First Siege of Badajoz.
February 19, 1811: The French won the Battle of the Gebora.
March 5, 1811: The Battle of Barrosa was an Anglo-Spanish victory. The Allies tried to break the French siege of Cádiz but couldn't lift it.
March 11, 1811: The French won the Battle of Pombal.
March 12, 1811: The Battle of Redinha was indecisive, but the French retreated.
March 14, 1811: The French won the Battle of Casal Novo.
March 15, 1811: The Anglo-Portuguese forces won the Battle of Foz de Arouce.
March 15–21, 1811: The French won the Siege of Campo Maior Castle.
March 25, 1811: The Anglo-Portuguese forces won the Battle of Campo Maior.
April 3, 1811: The Anglo-Portuguese forces won the Battle of Sabugal.
April 9–10, 1811: Spanish forces captured the Sant Ferran Castle in a surprise attack.
April 10 – August 19, 1811: The French won the Siege of Figueras.
April 14 – May 10, 1811: The Second Siege of Almeida was an Allied victory. French troops abandoned the fort.
April 22 – June 10, 1811: The French won the Second Siege of Badajoz.
May 3–6, 1811: The Battle of Fuentes de Oñoro was an Anglo-Portuguese strategic victory. The French failed to relieve Almeida.
May 5 – June 29, 1811: The French won the First Siege of Tarragona.
May 16, 1811: The Battle of Albuera was an Allied victory. Allied forces fought the French Army of the South.
May 25, 1811: The Spanish won the First Battle of Arlabán, a guerrilla ambush.
May 25, 1811: The Allied forces won the Battle of Usagre.
June 6 and 9, 1811: Wellington's attacks on the forts of Badajoz were beaten back.
June 23, 1811: The Spanish won the Battle of Cogorderos.
June 30 – July 2, 1811: The French won the Siege of Niebla.
July 29, 1811: The French won the Battle of Montserrat.
August 9, 1811: The French won the Battle of Zujar.
August 19, 1811: The French captured the Sant Ferran Castle in Figueras.
September 25, 1811: The French won the Battle of El Bodón.
October 4–14, 1811: The Spanish won the Battle of Cervera.
October 16, 1811: The Spanish won the Action at Ayerbe. Mina's troops surprised and defeated an Italian column.
October 25, 1811: The French won the Battle of Saguntum.
October 28, 1811: The Allied forces won the Battle of Arroyo dos Molinos.
November 3, 1811 – January 9, 1812: The French won the Siege of Valencia.
November 5, 1811: The Spanish won the First Battle of Bornos.
December 19, 1811 – January 5, 1812: The Allied forces won the Siege of Tarifa.
December 29, 1811: The French won the Combat of Navas de Membrillo.

1812: Turning the Tide

January 8–20, 1812: The Second Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo was an Allied victory. Wellington's troops captured the town.
January 18, 1812: The Spanish won the Combat of Villaseca.
January 20, 1812: The French captured Denia, an important supply center.
January 20 – February 2, 1812: The French won the Siege of Peniscola.
January 24, 1812: The French won the Battle of Altafulla.
March 16 – April 6, 1812: The Siege of Badajoz was an Allied victory. Wellington's troops took the city after heavy fighting. They then looted the city for three days.
April 3, 1812: The Anglo-Portuguese forces won the Combat at Fuente del Maestre.
April 9, 1812: The Spanish won the Second Battle of Arlabán, another guerrilla victory.
April 11, 1812: The British won the Battle of Villagarcia.
May 18–19, 1812: The Allied forces won the Battle of Almaraz. They destroyed a key French bridge.
May 31, 1812: The French won the Battle of Bornos.
June 11, 1812: The French won the Battle of Maguilla.
June 17–27, 1812: The Allied forces won the Siege of the Salamanca forts.
June 21–22, 1812: Anglo-Spanish forces stormed defenses at Lequeitio, capturing prisoners and guns.
June 29 – August 19, 1812: The Spanish won the Second Siege of Astorga, liberating the city.
July 6–8, 1812: Anglo-Spanish forces won at Castro Urdiales.
July 21, 1812: The French won the Battle of Castalla.
July 22, 1812: The Battle of Salamanca was a decisive Allied victory. Wellington's army defeated a larger French force. This allowed Wellington to free Madrid.
July 22 – August 2, 1812: Anglo-Spanish forces captured Santander.
July 23, 1812: The Anglo-German forces won the Battle of Garcia Hernandez.
August 11, 1812: The Battle of Majadahonda was fought.
August 14, 1812: The French garrison at the Citadel of Madrid surrendered. King Joseph had already left Madrid. Wellington liberated the city.
August 25, 1812: The French troops left Cádiz, ending the long siege.
September 19 – October 21, 1812: The French won the Siege of Burgos. Wellington had to retreat back to Portugal.
October 23, 1812: The Battle of Venta del Pozo was indecisive.
October 25–29, 1812: The French won the Battle of Tordesillas.

1813: French Retreats and Final Push

April 13, 1813: The Anglo-Spanish forces won the Battle of Castalla.
June 2, 1813: The Battle of Morales was fought.
June 3–11, 1813: The French won the Second Siege of Tarragona.
June 18, 1813: The Allied forces won the Battle of San Millan-Osma.
June 21, 1813: The Battle of Vitoria was a decisive Allied victory. This battle led to Napoleon's brother, Joseph Bonaparte, giving up his throne as King of Spain.
June 26, 1813: The Allied forces won the Battle of Tolosa.
June 26 – October 31, 1813: The Allied forces won the Siege of Pamplona.
July 7–25, 1813: The French won the First Siege of San Sebastián.
July 25 – August 1, 1813: The Battle of the Pyrenees was a large Allied offensive.
July 25, 1813: The French won the Battle of Roncesvalles and the Battle of Maya.
July 27 – August 1, 1813: The Allied forces won the Battle of Sorauren.
July 30, 1813: The Combat of Beunza was fought.
August 8 – September 8, 1813: The Anglo-Portuguese forces won the Second Siege of San Sebastián.
August 31, 1813: The Spanish won the Battle of San Marcial.
September 12–13, 1813: The French won the Battle of Ordal.
October 7, 1813: The Allied forces won the Battle of the Bidassoa.
November 9, 1813: The Allied forces won the Battle of Nivelle. Wellington's large army attacked French defenses.
December 8, 1813: The Treaty of Valençay was signed. Napoleon wanted to make peace with Spain and bring back Ferdinand VII as king. However, the Spanish government later rejected this treaty.
December 9–13, 1813: The Allied forces won the Battle of the Nive.
December 11, 1813: Joseph Bonaparte, King of Spain, gave up his throne.

1814: The War Ends

February 15, 1814: The Allied forces won the Battle of Garris.
February 27, 1814: The Anglo-Portuguese forces won the Battle of Orthez.
April 6, 1814: Napoleon Bonaparte gave up his power.
April 10, 1814: The Battle of Toulouse was an Allied victory. This was one of the last battles of the war. Soon after, news of Napoleon's surrender reached Wellington.
April 14, 1814: The Allied forces won the Battle of Bayonne. This was the last major battle of the Peninsular War.
May 28, 1814: The French garrison in Barcelona surrendered.
June 4, 1814: The last French garrison in Spain, at Sant Ferran Castle, surrendered.

Images for kids

The Second of May 1808.jpg

The Second of May 1808 (The Charge of the Mamelukes) by Goya
The Third of May 1808 by Goya.jpg

The Third of May 1808 by Goya