Siege of Seville

Siege of Seville
Part of the Reconquista

The Torre del Oro (at right) anchored one end of the barricade in the Guadalquivir. It marks where the Moorish defenses spanned the river.
Date17 July 1247 – 28 November 1248
Location
Seville
Result
  • Castilian victory
  • Capture of Seville
Belligerents
 Almohad Caliphate
Commanders and leaders
 Axataf
Strength
Around 30.000 Around 5.000 - 15.000
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown

The siege of Seville (July 1247 – November 1248) was a 16-month successful investment during the Reconquista of Seville by forces of Ferdinand III of Castile.[1] Although perhaps eclipsed in geopolitical importance by the rapid capture of Córdoba in 1236, which sent a shockwave through the Muslim world, the siege of Seville was nonetheless the most complex military operation undertaken by Fernando III.[2] It is also the last major operation of the Early Reconquista. The operation also marked the appearance of indigenous naval forces of Castile-León of military significance. In effect, Ramón de Bonifaz was the first admiral of Castile, although he never held an official title of that kind.[3]

  1. ^ Joseph F. O'Callaghan (2004). Reconquest and crusade in medieval Spain. University of Pennsylvania Press. pp. 113–116. ISBN 978-0812218893.
  2. ^ Joseph F. O'Callaghan (1983). A history of medieval Spain. Cornell University Press. pp. 352–. ISBN 978-0801492648. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
  3. ^ O'Callaghan, J.F. (2011). The Gibraltar Crusade: Castile and the Battle for the Strait. University of Pennsylvania Press. p. 14. ISBN 978-0812204636. Retrieved 10 April 2015.