Battle of Getares

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Battle of Getares (1340)
Part of Reconquista
Date9 April 1340
Location
Playa de Getares, Algeciras
Result Marinid victory
Belligerents
Sultanate of Morocco Kingdom of Castile
Commanders and leaders
Abu al-Hasan Alfonso de Tenorio  †
Strength
79 ships 51 ships
Casualties and losses
Unknown 35 ships captured

The Battle of the Getares of 1340 was a naval encounter between the Marinid fleet, under the command of Mohammed ben Ali al-Azafi, and a Castilian fleet led by Alfonso Jofre de Tenorio. The tough battle ended with the annihilation of the Castilian fleet.

Background[edit]

In 1339, the Castilian king, Alfonso XI, launched a series of raids into the Granada territory; in response, Abu Malik Abd al-Wahid launched a military campaign to ravage the suburbs of Medina-Sidonia. He divided his army and attacked several places; however, the Castilian defenses proved effective. The Castilian army chased the Moors and defeated them in Vega de Pagana.[1]

After this defeat, the Moroccan sultan, Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn Othman, decided to lead his own armies. Once Alfonso heard of this, he dispatched a navy under Alfonso Jofre de Tenorio to prevent the crossing of the Moroccans and supplies across the Strait of Gibraltar.[2] The Castilian admiral, however, found himself in a weakened position due to the winter, which left some ships unmanned.[3]

Battle[edit]

Abu Hassan crossed the strait and made their way to Gibraltar, evading Tenorio. The Castilians attempted to blockade Gibraltar; however, a powerful storm drove him off, allowing the Moroccans to cross the bay towards Algeciras. Tenorio attempted to blockade again; however, rumors spread aboard that he was bribed to allow the Moors to cross the strait. To ensure his loyalty, the Castilian king dispatched another 6 ships.[4]

The Moroccans had a navy of 79 ships, consisting of 44 galleys and 35 lenos, while the Castilians had 51.[5] The Castilians were suddenly attacked by the Marinid navy. The Castilians were caught unprepared off the beach of Getares.[6] The Moroccans attacked the galley of Tenorio; however, the Castilians bravely defended the ship and managed to repel the Moors three times.[7] Despite their resistance, they were overwhelmed in the end, and Tenorio was beheaded and his head thrown in the sea while his body was taken as a trophy to the Moroccan sultan. The captives were taken to Ceuta, where they were paraded.[8]

Out of 51 ships, 28 galleys and 7 naos were captured; 11 galleys that had not been engaged fled to Cartagena while the other 5 fled to Tarifa.[9]

Aftermath[edit]

Tenorio's failure to hold his navy together and low morale contributed to the Castilian defeat.[10] Abu Hassan's fleet now lay unchallenged in the strait.[11] Pope Benedict XII saw this disaster as divine punishment for the king's harsh treatment of the Master of Order of Alcántara.[12] Alfonso was forced to seek help from Portugal, Aragon, and Genoa.[13]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Clifford J. Rogers, John France, & Kelly DeVries, p. 94
  2. ^ Clifford J. Rogers, John France, & Kelly DeVries, p. 94-5
  3. ^ Joseph F. O'Callaghan, p. 172
  4. ^ Joseph F. O'Callaghan, p. 172
  5. ^ Joseph F. O'Callaghan, p. 172
  6. ^ Clifford J. Rogers, John France, & Kelly DeVries, p. 95
  7. ^ Joseph F. O'Callaghan, p. 172
  8. ^ Joseph F. O'Callaghan, p. 172
  9. ^ Joseph F. O'Callaghan, p. 172
  10. ^ Joseph F. O'Callaghan, p. 172
  11. ^ Clifford J. Rogers, John France, & Kelly DeVries, p. 95
  12. ^ Joseph F. O'Callaghan, p. 172
  13. ^ Clifford J. Rogers, John France, & Kelly DeVries, p. 95

Sources[edit]

  • Clifford J. Rogers, John France, & Kelly DeVries (2002), Journal of Medieval Military History.[1]
  • Joseph F. O'Callaghan (2011), The Gibraltar Crusade, Castile and the Battle for the Strait.[2]
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