Portugal broke the Castilian naval blockade of Lisbon in 1384, preserving the city and forcing the besieging army to eventually withdraw.
Key Facts
- Date
- 26 July 1384
- Portuguese fleet size
- 34 ships (5 major vessels)
- Portuguese ships lost
- 3 ships
- Castilian commander
- Sanchez de Tovar
- Objective
- Supply besieged Lisbon and break the blockade
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Castilian forces besieged Lisbon and imposed a naval blockade on the Tagus river, cutting the city off from supplies. Portugal needed to relieve the siege by breaking through the Castilian fleet to deliver provisions to the starving city.
In July 1384, a Portuguese naval force of 34 ships clashed with the Castilian fleet commanded by Sanchez de Tovar on the Tagus river. Despite losing three ships, the Portuguese successfully penetrated the blockade and delivered much-needed supplies to Lisbon.
The Portuguese breakthrough was a decisive strategic victory. With Lisbon resupplied and the blockade broken, the Castilians could no longer sustain the siege and subsequently withdrew their forces from the city entirely.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent
Sanchez de Tovar.