Battle of Guinea

Battle of Guinea
Part of War of the Castilian Succession

16th century map of the Portuguese possessions in western Africa
DateSpring or Summer of 1478
Location
Near Elmina, Gulf of Guinea
Result Portuguese victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of Portugal Crown of Castile
Commanders and leaders
Jorge Correia
Mem Palha		 Pedro de Covides (POW)
Joanot Boscà (POW)
Strength
11 ships 11~35 ships[1][2]
Casualties and losses
no ships lost
  • all ships, crew and guns captured[1]
  • a huge cargo of gold captured[1][3]

The Battle of Guinea took place on the Gulf of Guinea, in western Africa, 1478, between a Portuguese fleet and a Castilian fleet in the context of the War of the Castilian Succession.

The outcome of the battle of Guinea was decisive for Portugal, continuing its dominance of the Atlantic Ocean, and reaching a very favourable sharing of the Atlantic and territories disputed with Castile in the Peace of Alcáçovas (1479). All with the exception of the Canary Islands stayed under Portuguese control: Guinea, Cape Verde, Madeira, Azores and the exclusive right of conquering the Kingdom of Fez. Portugal also won exclusive rights over the lands discovered or that were to be discovered south of the Canary Islands.

  1. ^ a b c Diffie, Shafer & Winius 1977, p. 151.
  2. ^ Newitt 2005, p. 37.
  3. ^ Newitt 2005, p. 37 "However, in 1478 the Portuguese surprised thirty-five Castilian ships returning from Mina and seized them and all their gold."