Alfonso XI the Avenger Biography and Timeline

Birth of Alfonso XI the Avenger

Birth of Alfonso XI the Avenger, son of Ferdinand IV

Role range: 1312-1350

Succession

The country is ruled by a regency until 1325

Role range: 1312-1350

Succession

Succeeds as King of Castille & Leon, 1312-1350

Role range: 1312-1350

Death of Queen Constance

The death of Alfonso XI's mother, Constance of Portugal, further complicated the regency governing Castile during his childhood.

Disaster of the Vega

Infantes Peter and John, two leading figures in Alfonso XI's regency, died during a campaign against Granada at the Disaster of the Vega.

Death of Maria de Molina

The death of Alfonso XI's grandmother and regent Maria de Molina removed a stabilizing influence and intensified rivalry among competing regency factions.

Assumption of Personal Rule

Alfonso XI attained his majority in 1325 and began exercising personal royal authority after years of contested regency.

Role range: 1312-1350

Marriage to Constanza Manuel

Alfonso XI married Constanza Manuel in 1325, linking the young king with the powerful household of Don Juan Manuel.

Role range: 1312-1350

Succession

Alfonso XI the Avenger attains his majority

Role range: 1312-1350

Annulment of First Marriage

Alfonso XI's marriage to Constanza Manuel was annulled after two years, ending the dynastic union with Don Juan Manuel's daughter.

Role range: 1312-1350

Marriage to Maria of Portugal

Alfonso XI married Maria of Portugal in 1328, strengthening dynastic ties between Castile and the Portuguese royal house.

Role range: 1312-1350

Invasion of Granada

Begins raids against the Moors of Granada

Role range: 1329-1333 – 1312-1350

Order of Band

Founds the Order of the Band

Role range: 1312-1350

Capture of Gibraltar

The Moors of Granada capture Gibraltar

Role range: 1329-1333 – 1312-1350

Birth of Peter of Castile

Maria of Portugal gave birth to Peter, Alfonso XI's surviving legitimate son and eventual successor as king of Castile.

Role range: 1312-1350

Castilian Naval Defeat

A Marinid attack destroyed most of the Castilian fleet near the Strait of Gibraltar and killed admiral Alonso Jofre Tenorio, worsening the military crisis facing Alfonso XI.

Role range: 1312-1350

Battle of Salado

Wins a victory against the Moors

Role range: 1340-1350 – 1312-1350

Battle of Salado

Ends forever the threats from Moroccan Moslems

Role range: 1340-1350 – 1312-1350

Battle of Tarifa

Defeats the Moors

Role range: 1340-1350 – 1312-1350

Invasion of Castille

Defeats the last Moorish invasion

Role range: 1340-1350 – 1312-1350

Portuguese Aid Requested

Facing a major Marinid invasion, Alfonso XI personally requested military assistance from Alfonso IV of Portugal before the Battle of the Salado.

Role range: 1312-1350

Algeciras Siege Preparations

Alfonso XI prepared for an assault on Algeciras by assembling troops, arranging naval support and ordering additional ships for the campaign.

Role range: 1312-1350

Capture of Alcala la Real

Alfonso XI captured Alcala la Real during renewed operations against the Nasrid frontier after the victory at the Salado.

Role range: 1312-1350

Capture of Carcabuey

Alfonso XI's campaign of 1341 brought Carcabuey under Castilian control as pressure increased on the frontier with Granada.

Role range: 1312-1350

Capture of Priego de Cordoba

Alfonso XI's forces captured Priego de Cordoba during the Castilian offensive against Muslim-held strongholds in Andalusia.

Role range: 1312-1350

Capture of Rute

Alfonso XI's forces captured Rute during the same 1341 offensive that secured several fortified places on the Granadan frontier.

Role range: 1312-1350

Siege of Algeciras Begins

Alfonso XI began the long siege of Algeciras in August 1342 with Castilian troops and naval support from allied Christian powers.

Role range: 1312-1350

Alcabala Extended

Alfonso XI secured approval to extend the alcabala sales tax as part of the financing needed for the prolonged siege of Algeciras.

Role range: 1312-1350

Capture of Algeciras

Captures the port of Algeciras from the Spanish Moors

Role range: 1340-1350 – 1312-1350

Post-Algeciras Truce

After Algeciras surrendered, Alfonso XI agreed to a long truce that temporarily reduced fighting with Granada and the Marinids around the Strait.

Role range: 1312-1350

Ordenamiento de Alcala

Alfonso XI promulgated the Ordenamiento de Alcala, an important legal compilation that strengthened the place of royal law within the Castilian legal order.

Role range: 1312-1350

Fifth Siege of Gibraltar Begins

Alfonso XI opened a renewed siege of Gibraltar in 1349, establishing a large Castilian camp on the isthmus north of the fortress.

Role range: 1312-1350

Death of Alfonso XI the Avenger

Death of Alfonso XI, from the plague attempting to capture Gibraltar

Role range: 1340-1350 – 1312-1350

Siege of Gibraltar

Leads a siege of Gibraltar, the last Spanish city in Muslim hands

Role range: 1340-1350 – 1312-1350

Siege of Gibraltar

Leads a siege of Gibraltar, the last Spanish city in Muslim hands

Role range: 1340-1350 – 1312-1350