1478 battle between a Portuguese fleet and a Castilian fleet in the context of the War of the Castilian Succession
Portugal's naval victory secured dominance over Atlantic trade routes and shaped the territorial divisions agreed in the 1479 Peace of Alcáçovas.
Key Facts
- Year
- 1478
- Theater
- Gulf of Guinea, West Africa
- Conflict context
- War of the Castilian Succession
- Peace treaty
- Peace of Alcáçovas, 1479
- Portuguese territories retained
- Guinea, Cape Verde, Madeira, Azores, rights over Kingdom of Fez
- Exception ceded to Castile
- Canary Islands
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The War of the Castilian Succession created rivalry between Portugal and Castile over control of Atlantic trade routes and West African territories. Both powers sought dominance over the Gulf of Guinea, a strategically vital region for access to African gold and the emerging Atlantic economy.
In 1478, Portuguese and Castilian fleets clashed on the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa. The engagement was decisive in Portugal's favor, defeating Castilian naval forces and affirming Portuguese maritime supremacy in the region.
Portugal's victory enabled it to negotiate the Peace of Alcáçovas in 1479 from a position of strength. Portugal retained Guinea, Cape Verde, Madeira, the Azores, and exclusive rights to lands discovered south of the Canary Islands, while Castile was limited to the Canary Islands.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent