Battle that took place on 4 July 1299 at St Marco di Val Demone, north-western Sicily
This Aragonese–Angevin naval victory over Sicily ultimately led to the Peace of Caltabellotta, securing Sicilian independence.
Key Facts
- Date of Battle
- 4 July 1299
- Sicilian vessels captured
- 18 galleys
- Deciding factor
- Six-galley reserve attacked Sicilian rear flank
- Sicilian collapse cause
- Frederick III collapsed from heat and exhaustion
- Outcome for Sicily
- Independence secured via Peace of Caltabellotta
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The War of the Sicilian Vespers had left Aragon, the Angevins, and Sicily in prolonged conflict. James II of Aragon, allied with the Angevins against his brother Frederick III of Sicily, assembled a combined galley fleet to challenge Sicilian naval power and enable an invasion of the island.
On 4 July 1299, Roger of Lauria commanding the Aragonese–Angevin fleet defeated a Sicilian fleet under Conrad d'Oria near Cape Orlando. Though trapped on a lee shore, the allied fleet turned the tide with a six-galley reserve that struck the Sicilian rear. Frederick III's collapse from heat and exhaustion caused the Sicilian flagship to withdraw, prompting a rout; eighteen Sicilian vessels were captured and their crews massacred.
Although the victory opened the way for an invasion of Sicily, James II broke with his Angevin allies and withdrew to Aragon. Frederick III exploited this, defeating the Angevin land forces and negotiating the Peace of Caltabellotta, which recognised his rule and secured Sicilian independence.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Roger of Lauria, James II of Aragon.
Side B
1 belligerent
Conrad d'Oria, Frederick III of Sicily.