NAJERA 1367: Castilian Civil War

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The Battle of Najera, also known as the Battle of Navarrete, was fought on 3 April 1367 between an Anglo-Gascon army and Franco-Castilian forces near Najera, in the province of La Rioja, Castile. The English were led by Edward, the Black Prince, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, allied with Peter of Castile (sometimes called Peter the Cruel) against his brother Henry of Trastamara (Spanish: Enrique II).

Peter and Henry had been in armed conflict, the Castilian Civil War, for some time before the intervention of foreign powers was sought. Peter begged assistance from the Black Prince in Bordeaux to restore him to his throne. James IV of Majorca also agreed to support Peter.

With 24,000 men, the Anglo-Gascon army marched south from Aquitaine and crossed the river Ebro at Logrono. They took control of the fortified village of Navarrete and continued towards Najera to face Henry's Franco-Castilian army, the latter's strength being 60,000. Despite the large size of his army, Henry's commander, Bertrand du Guesclin, was later reported to have been reluctant to face the English in a pitched battle, but he was overruled.

The battle began with the English longbowmen gaining dominance over the French archers. Then, the English vanguard, led by Sir John Chandos and the Duke of Lancaster, attacked the French mercenaries commanded by Du Guesclin and Arnoul D'Audrehem.

The Castilian cavalry, under heavy arrow fire from the English longbowmen, fled early, leaving Henry's battle exposed to attack from the mounted English. The Franco-Castilian army disintegrated and retreated, pursued by the English, back to the bank of the river Najerilla. Du Guesclin was captured, but Henry escaped and fled.

Peter and the English completely routed Henry and the French, inflicting heavy losses. Unlike at other battles of the Hundred Years' War, at Najera it was the English who were attacking dismounted French troops. As with many other battles of the period, the English longbow proved a significant advantage. However, the battle was of dubious long-term significance as Peter and the Black Prince fell out over money, and Peter was not able to maintain his rule for long without foreign support.