Battle of Río Salado

Spanish history
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

Quick Facts
Date:
October 30, 1340
Location:
Sevilla
Spain
Participants:
Castile
Marīnid dynasty
Portugal
Context:
Reconquista

Battle of Río Salado, (October 30, 1340), battle fought by the allied Castilian and Portuguese Christian forces against the Muslim Marīnids of North Africa in a final attempt by the latter to invade the Iberian Peninsula. The battle, which interrupted a series of disputes between the Castilian and Portuguese over throne and territorial rights, represented the final alliance of the two to repulse the Moorish invaders.

The Marīnids had gathered a vast army and destroyed the Castilian fleet in the Strait of Gibraltar. They proceeded inland to the Salado River near Sevilla (Seville), where they met the allies, led by Alfonso XI of Castile and Afonso IV of Portugal. The Marīnids experienced a disastrous defeat and retreated to Africa.