July 16th 1212: the important battle of Las Navas de Tolosa, in Andalucia, was fought and won by the Christian armies of Spain and Portugal. It was also Pope Innocent III’s fourth Crusade( 2 had been to the Holy Land and the other against the Albigensian heretics). It was a great feat to get the warring and jealous kings of Aragon, Navarre and Portugal to fight alongside Castille, but it was very necessary. The Moors had been on the Iberian Peninsula since the Arab chief Tarik crossed at what is now Gibraltar, in 711AD.
The battle did not see the eviction of the Moors from Spain, but it was the beginning of Spanish resurgence, which would culminate with Ferdinand and Isabella’s capture of their last stronghold, that of Granada in 1492.
Never again did Europe have to fear from Muslim invasion from this direction.
The next wave would come from the East and towards Constantinople and then Vienna.
Stephen Decatur fights a duel today in 1820.
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Today in 1820 Commodore Steven Decatur was mortally wounded in a duel with another officer. He was 41.
Decatur had become famous in 1804 for fighting Barbary Pirates. During the war with Tripoli he led 74 volunteers into the harbour and burnt the captured American Frigate, Philadelphia.
Nelson called it: “the most daring act of the age”. He was 25 and was promoted Captain.
None years later, as a Commodore, he led 9 ships against the Pirates again, capturing the Meshouda, killing the Admiral and capturing 400 prisoners. After this victory, the US never again paid tribute to the pirate states.
In 1808 James Barron was expelled from the Navy for five years and Decatur was on the court martial board. From then on the two men’s relationship got steadily worse until in 1820 Barron challenged Decatur to a duel.
It took place five miles from Washington at Blade s urg Duelling Field. Decatur had decided to shoot Barron in the hip, which he did. Unfortunately, he was hit in the stomach and died a painful death. They were reconciled on the field.
His funeral was attended by 10000,including most of the Cabinet.
Eleven cities are named after him and five warships have had feb name USS Decatur. -
Nice piece of history Witt, on the other hand…. Are you sure that is not political? wry grin
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Thanks Malachi.
Because I was playing with my WW1 game I missed Ivan the Terrible’ s death(18th March 1584).
I think his life would have made good reading.
Maybe next year!As for Politics: never, it is forbidden.
And boring! -
I would have taken Decatur in a duel too! ;)
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He gave Barron an advantage, knowing his eyesight was not good: he did not take the usual number of steps, so making himself a bigger target.
Probably cost him his life and the US a great Naval Officer.
Who knows: could he have been as good as Nelson?
He seemed to fight like him.
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