Battle of Valverde (1385)

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Battle of Valverde (1385)

The Battle of Valverde was fought on 15 October 1385 near Valverde de Mérida in Castile. It happened during the Portuguese Crisis of 1383–1385, two months after Portugal’s decisive win at Aljubarrota. The Portuguese army, led by Nuno Álvares Pereira, pushed into Castile, moved through Villagarcia, and headed toward Valverde. Castile, about 20,000 strong and reinforced by nobles, including Gonzalo Núñez de Guzman and Pedro Muñiz de Godoy y Sandoval, faced them to stop the crossing of the Guadiana River.

Nuno formed his troops in a square with the baggage in the center and launched a landing on the far bank. Castilian forces on the opposite shore tried to block them, but the Portuguese held the riverfront and then attacked. As Nuno crossed again to reinforce his rearguard, the Castilians pressed a long barrage of arrows. In a key moment, Nuno killed the Grand Master of the Order of Santiago, Pedro Muñiz de Godoy y Sandoval, in single combat. His death broke Castilian morale, and the army collapsed and was defeated. The Portuguese pursued the Castilians until nightfall and returned to Portugal the next morning.

In the aftermath, Castilian control waned, and many towns soon surrendered to John I of Portugal.