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war1658

1658 battle of the Portuguese Restoration War

September 17, 1658

A Spanish victory that opened the way for the capture of several Portuguese border strongholds during the Restoration War.

Quick Facts

Year
1658
Category
war

Key Facts

Date
17 September 1658
Conflict
Portuguese Restoration War
Spanish commander
Rodrigo Pimentel, Marquis of Viana
Portuguese commander
João Rodrigues de Vasconcelos e Sousa, 2nd Count of Castelo Melhor
Location
Near Fort of São Luis de Gonzaga, south bank of Minho River
Outcome
Spanish victory; subsequent capture of Monção and Salvaterra de Miño

Location

Map of Vilanova, PortugalMap of Vilanova, PortugalVilanova, Portugal

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

During the ongoing Portuguese Restoration War, a Spanish army under Rodrigo Pimentel, Marquis of Viana and Governor of Galicia, crossed into Portuguese territory along the Minho River frontier, seeking to press Spanish military advantage in the northwest.

Event

On 17 September 1658, near the Fort of São Luis de Gonzaga downstream from Tui, the Spanish force engaged a Portuguese army commanded by the 2nd Count of Castelo Melhor. The battle resulted in a clear Spanish victory over the defending Portuguese troops.

Consequence

Following their victory, the Spanish proceeded over the subsequent months to capture the Portuguese strongholds of Monção, Salvaterra de Miño, and other fortified positions in the region, significantly weakening Portuguese control of the Minho River frontier.

Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis

Side A

1 belligerent

Spain (Crown of Castile)
Key Commanders

Rodrigo Pimentel, Marquis of Viana.

Side B

1 belligerent

Portugal
Key Commanders

João Rodrigues de Vasconcelos e Sousa, 2nd Count of Castelo Melhor.

Outcome
Spanish victory; followed by capture of Monção and Salvaterra de Miño

Timeline Context

Timeline around 165816581655165616571659166016611658 siege of the Russian-Polish War of 1654-16671658 battle of the Anglo-Spanish War of 1654-1660Colonial conflict between the Danes and SwedesMilitary conflict in Lithuania1658 battle between sons of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan1658 military conflictBattle in the Franco-Spanish War (1658)1658 treaty between Poland–Lithuania and Cossacksbattle-of-vilanova-1658