Welcome to a history of Europe, Key Battles, the Battle of Rio Salada, Part 3 of 3.

This is the third and final part of a set of episodes on the Gibraltar Crusades,

a three-way conflict in the 14th century between the Spanish Christian Kingdom of Castile, the

Maronid dynasty of Morocco, and the Sultanate of Granada, the last remaining Muslim state

on the Iberian Peninsula.

The conflict centered around the Straits of Gibraltar, the strategic border between Europe

and Africa.

If you have not already done so, I would first recommend

listening to the previous two episodes for the background on the combination of this episode,

the Battle of Rio Salado in 1340. In 1312, the Kingdom of Castile was in the ascendancy, but was knocked back when in that year their king, Fernando IV, while preparing again for war, fell ill and died suddenly, at the age of only 28.

Fernando left an infant son, Alfonso the 11th, who succeeded him at the age of precisely one year and 20 days.

The kingdom once more had to endure a minority, and rebellions which traditionally ensued.

And once more Maria de Melina and grandmother of the new king stepped in to protect her family.

She was recognised as official regent alongside her son Pedro and her brother-in-law Juan.

While she endeavoured to curb disorder and prevent the outbreak of rebellion, Pedro and

Juan took advantage of a civil war in Grenada to seize civil border fortresses.

In 1319, the two princes launched an expedition of widespread looting, which at first went very well.

The Castilian army marched until only a few miles away from the city walls of Granada.

By not having the confidence to successfully besiege the city,

Pedro and Juan decided to withdraw back to their kingdom with their booty.

It was at this point that the forces of Granada made their counter-attack. Wade down by their ill-gotten gains, their Castilians were soon surrounded and suffered many casualties, including the deaths of Pedro and Juan.

This event known to history as the disaster of the Vega of Grenada abruptly put an end to Castilian ambitions in Granada.

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