Siege of Seville

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]

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.
Date 17 July 1247 – 28 November 1248 Location Seville Result Castilian victory Capture of Seville
Belligerents
Kingdom of Castile Order of Santiago	Almohad Caliphate
Commanders and leaders
Ferdinand III of Castile Ramón de Bonifaz	Axataf
Strength
Around 30.000	Around 5.000 - 15.000
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Unknown

Background

In 1246, after the conquest of Jaén, Seville and Granada were the only major cities in the Iberian Peninsula that had not acquiesced to Christian suzerainty. Of the two, Granada would remain semi-independent until 1492.

Siege

During the summer of 1247, Castilian armies isolated the city to the north and east. This paved the way for the siege, which started when Ramón de Bonifaz sailed with thirteen galleys, accompanied by some smaller ships, up the Guadalquivir and scattered some forty smaller vessels trying to oppose him. On 3 May the Castilian fleet broke the pontoon bridge linking Seville and Triana.^[1]

St Albertus Magnus wrote that the Moorish defenders used artillery loaded with rocks in the siege, but this is not certain that is describing the type of firearms.

Due to a famine, the city capitulated on 23 November 1248. The terms specified that the Castillian troops would be allowed to enter the alcázar no later than a month later. Ferdinand made his triumphant entry into the city on 22 December 1248.^[1] Muslim chronicles record that some 300,000 inhabitants left the city. This number is considered exaggerated by O'Callaghan.^[1]

References

• Batista González Batista; Juan Batista (2007). España estratégica: guerra y diplomacia en la historia de España (in Spanish). Silex Ediciones. pp. 163–. ISBN 978-8477371830.

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.

37.3783°N 5.9958°W / 37.3783; -5.9958