Aljubarrota: Portugal saves itself from Castile
August 1385
John of Aviz, with English longbowmen and Portuguese spearmen, met the Castilian invasion on a ridge between Lisbon and Coimbra. The Castilian cavalry, charging uphill into entrenched archers, was destroyed in a battle lasting less than an hour. John was acclaimed king. Portugal kept its independence and would soon launch its Atlantic exploration under his sons.
In context
Also in 1385 (3 other events on record)
- Wycliffe Bible circulates in Lollard hands · Europe · Religion
- Heidelberg University founded · Europe · Culture
- Wenzel IV arrested by Bohemian nobles · Europe · Politics
Before and after in Europe
Before and after in War
Era
Late Middle Ages (1301–1500), one of 874 events from that era on Saeculum.