What was Spain's greatest battle?

[Chris 62]

With Spain's long history, there have been many important fights, but which one is the most important. I have it in mind, but for a change I'm going to see what everybody else thinks first. Please don't limit your response to Spain, any spanish speaking country can be named.

[Jay Bee]

Wow, Spain has been engaged in so many military conflicts.... I'd pick two above all, Lepanto and Bailen. Lepanto meant the end of the Turkish threat in the Mediterranean sea, and Bailen was the battle that showed the world that Napoleon was not unbeatable.

But if you extend your question to the Hispanic world I'd have to go with the US-Mexican War of the XIX century, the war that took so many lands away from the Hispanic world. Good thing that we Aztlanites are slowingly getting them back

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"Our community extends beyond national frontiers. Whether it is an Argentinian or a Spaniard, a Chilean or a Mexican, we all know as children that our national language is the language of many nations, and that it was born in Spain many centuries ago... without it, our people would not exist"

Octavio Paz, Mexican Writer. Nobel Laureate 1990, Cervantes Prize 1982
[This message has been edited by Jay Bee (edited January 23, 2001).]

[Fiera]

It's probably not what you're thinking of, but I think most influential battle for further Spanish history was the Battle of La Albuera (1477), which finished the Castilian civil war, between Isabella and her niece Juana la Loca. This granted the union of Castile and Aragon, instead of a projected union between Castile and Portugal.

Another very influential, and better known battle was Rocroi (1643), first important loss of the mighty Tercios in European fields of battle. It meant the beginning of the Spanish decadence.

[Chris 62]

You guys have still not hit the one I'm thinking of, but a good reminder of poor old general Dupont, old boney's scapegoat. Hint: The second posting is closer to what I'm thinking of.

[Jay Bee]

quote: Originally posted by Fiera on 01-23-2001 04:17 PMThis granted the union of Castile and Aragon, instead of a projected union between Castile and Portugal.

Have you ever wondered what would have happened if Castile united with Portugal instead of Aragon? The new country, free of compromises in the Mediterranean sea and/or against France, could have focused only on America and Asia and... well, how different the things would have been, uh?

Cpoulos;

Aljubarrota perhaps? The War of Succession?

[Prometeus]

The most beautiful spanish victory in Middle Ages: Las Navas de Tolosa.

The worst spanish defeat in Middle Ages: Uras.

[Chris 62]

quote: Originally posted by Jay Bee on 01-23-2001 05:42 PM Cpoulos; Aljubarrota perhaps? The War of Succession?

hint #2: It's in one of your scenarios.

[Jay Bee]

quote: Originally posted by Prometeus on 01-23-2001 06:19 PM The most beautiful spanish victory in Middle Ages: Las Navas de Tolosa.

He, he, I prefer La Rochelle.

quote: The worst spanish defeat in Middle Ages: Uras.

Uras? You caught me off-side Something related to the Aragonese in the Mediterranean I suspect?

quote: Originally posted by cpoulos on 01-23-2001 06:24 PM hint #2: It's in one of your scenarios.

Guadalete/La Janda? The battle for Granada? Is there a hint #3? Please?

[This message has been edited by Jay Bee (edited January 23, 2001).]

[Fiera]

I guess cpoulos is thinking of the siege of Granada, as it means the end of the Reconquista, and actually brings religious unity to the Peninsula... am I right?

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"¡Y pensar que algunos se asombran de que hayamos perdido las colonias! Lo que a mà me asombra es que, con esta burocracia, no hayamos perdido hasta los pantalones."

PÃo Baroja

[The Hogfather]

Why do you all forget... Suipacha, Maipu, Chacabuco, Cancha Rayada, San Lorenzo and countless others?

[Chris 62]

For Jay Bee and Fiera: It would have been Grenada if the sultan didn't cut and run with the money, as Grenada makes Spain the first ocean-going superpower in world history. Hint #3: Look to the west....

[Jay Bee]

quote: Originally posted by cpoulos on 01-24-2001 05:26 AM Hint #3: Look to the west....

There is a feeling I get when I look to the west, and my spirit is crying for leaving.... the conquest of Mexico!

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"Our community extends beyond national frontiers. Whether it is an Argentinian or a Spaniard, a Chilean or a Mexican, we all know as children that our national language is the language of many nations, and that it was born in Spain many centuries ago... without it, our people would not exist"

Octavio Paz, Mexican Writer. Nobel Laureate 1990, Cervantes Prize 1982

[Chris 62]

quote: Originally posted by Jay Bee on 01-24-2001 07:39 AM There is a feeling I get when I look to the west, and my spirit is crying for leaving.... the conquest of Mexico!

Well, you got me! The fight for Tenochtitlan is astounding! A handful of spainish soldiers, surrounded by thousands of screaming aztecs, and what does Cortez do? He ATTACKS AND WINS!!!! If there is a better feat of arms in history, I don't know of it(but you never know, and I'm sure someone will tell me different). I love Bernal Diaz Del Castillo's book on the subject, even if it is slanted to the spanish side. Hey Jay Bee, do you like these kind of threads? I could think of a few more if you like.

[Jay Bee]

quote: Originally posted by cpoulos on 01-24-2001 08:06 AM Well, you got me! The fight for Tenochtitlan is astounding! A handful of spainish soldiers, surrounded by thousands of screaming aztecs, and what does Cortez do? He ATTACKS AND WINS!!!! If there is a better feat of arms in history, I don't know of it(but you never know, and I'm sure someone will tell me different).

Yeah, it was pretty amazing but the Spanish army at that time was the best of the world and the Aztecs knew
nothing about military strategy. What Pizarro did with the Incas was even more astounding imho. Regrettably, when you praise those events people usually regard you as an imperialistic guy with no concern for human rights and blah, blah, blah... and that's not the point at all.

quote: I love Bernal Diaz Del Castillo's book on the subject, even if it is slanted to the spanish side.

I loved this book! I read it from the beginning to the end before starting work on the Mexico scenario.

quote: Hey Jay Bee, do you like these kind of threads? I could think of a few more if you like.

Go ahead, please. Me and the Spanish gang really enjoy them!


PS. You seem to know my scens well What is the one you like more?

PPS. Are you Greek, American or both?


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"Our community extends beyond national frontiers. Whether it is an Argentinian or a Spaniard, a Chilean or a Mexican, we all know as children that our national language is the language of many nations, and that it was born in Spain many centuries ago... without it, our people would not exist"

Octavio Paz, Mexican Writer. Nobel Laureate 1990, Cervantes Prize 1982
[This message has been edited by Jay Bee (edited January 24, 2001).]

[Prometeus]

To Jay Bee

Yes... El rey Pedro discovered that the Prince of Arborea was in Oristano celebrating a religious festivity, and without his army ( they were besieging Alghero )... so he sent against this town the elitè of Aragonese army based on Sardinia in order to capture or kill him. But they were busted out and disgracefully defeated in a cruel ambush fighting near Uras; over 1/3 of Sardinians and 2/3 of Aragonese were killed in battle ( source, the Aragonese royal annales ).