On the 22nd of September, 1359, an Aragonese cavalry force defeated a superior Castilian cavalry force at the Battle of Araviana during the War of the Two Peters.
The War of the Two Peters, fought between 1356 and 1375, was a protracted conflict that embroiled the Kingdom of Castile and the Crown of Aragon, two prominent Iberian powers of the Middle Ages. The war derived its name from the monarchs who led their respective realms—Peter I of Castile, also known as “Peter the Cruel,” and Peter IV of Aragon, dubbed “Peter the Ceremonious.” Their struggle was rooted in territorial ambition, dynastic rivalry, and the complex web of alliances characteristic of medieval European geopolitics.
The origins of the war can be traced to longstanding tensions between Castile and Aragon over territorial dominance, particularly concerning the region of Valencia and disputes in the Mediterranean. Additionally, Peter I of Castile’s internal policies and alliances, along with his turbulent relationships with neighbouring rulers, exacerbated the hostilities. His erratic rule alienated nobles and foreign leaders alike, fuelling conspiracies and fostering an environment ripe for conflict.
Meanwhile, Peter IV of Aragon harboured ambitions to expand his influence, seeing the instability within Castile as an opportunity. The two Peters had contrasting personalities and political styles: Peter I was notorious for his ruthless suppression of dissent, while Peter IV was methodical and politically astute, often leveraging diplomacy alongside military might.
The War of the Two Peters was characterised by a series of intermittent battles, shifting alliances, and widespread devastation across the Iberian Peninsula. Early in the conflict, both kingdoms sought to secure alliances to bolster their military efforts. Peter IV of Aragon allied with France and the Kingdom of Navarre, while Peter I of Castile courted the support of England, particularly during the broader scope of the Hundred Years’ War.
One of the pivotal moments came with the involvement of the infamous mercenary leader Bertrand du Guesclin, who played a significant role in the shifting fortunes of the conflict. His leadership of the Free Companies—bands of formidable, seasoned soldiers available for hire—added a ruthless edge to the warfare. Du Guesclin initially supported Peter IV of Aragon, taking part in battles that ravaged Castilian territories.
The war also intertwined with Castile’s internal strife, notably the Castilian Civil War, where Peter I faced rebellion from his half-brother, Henry of Trastámara. Henry’s claim to the throne, supported by Aragon and France, further complicated the conflict. This civil war segment of the broader struggle saw dramatic shifts in control, with Peter I experiencing both significant victories and harrowing defeats.
The protracted nature of the war led to widespread devastation. Towns and agricultural lands suffered from repeated raids and battles, causing economic decline and population displacement. The maritime dimensions of the conflict also affected Mediterranean trade, as naval engagements disrupted commerce and strained relations with other maritime powers.
Diplomatic efforts intermittently attempted to broker peace, but mutual distrust and the entangled interests of foreign allies often undermined these initiatives. The Treaty of Almazán in 1375 eventually brought an end to hostilities, though it did little to resolve the deep-seated animosities between Castile and Aragon.
The war’s conclusion left both kingdoms exhausted and economically weakened. Peter I of Castile was ultimately defeated and killed in 1369 during the Castilian Civil War, leading to Henry of Trastámara’s ascension as Henry II of Castile. This marked the beginning of the Trastámara dynasty, which would rule Castile and later unite with Aragon through dynastic marriage, setting the stage for the eventual unification of Spain.
Peter IV of Aragon, though surviving the war, faced internal challenges of his own, dealing with rebellious nobles and efforts to consolidate his kingdom’s authority. The conflict’s legacy endured in the lingering rivalries and the shifting balance of power within the Iberian Peninsula.The War of the Two Peters, fought between 1356 and 1375, was a protracted conflict that embroiled the Kingdom of Castile and the Crown of Aragon, two prominent Iberian powers of the Middle Ages. The war derived its name from the monarchs who led their respective realms—Peter I of Castile, also known as “Peter the Cruel,” and Peter IV of Aragon, dubbed “Peter the Ceremonious.” Their struggle was rooted in territorial ambition, dynastic rivalry, and the complex web of alliances characteristic of medieval European geopolitics.
The origins of the war can be traced to longstanding tensions between Castile and Aragon over territorial dominance, particularly concerning the region of Valencia and disputes in the Mediterranean. Additionally, Peter I of Castile’s internal policies and alliances, along with his turbulent relationships with neighbouring rulers, exacerbated the hostilities. His erratic rule alienated nobles and foreign leaders alike, fuelling conspiracies and fostering an environment ripe for conflict.
Meanwhile, Peter IV of Aragon harboured ambitions to expand his influence, seeing the instability within Castile as an opportunity. The two Peters had contrasting personalities and political styles: Peter I was notorious for his ruthless suppression of dissent, while Peter IV was methodical and politically astute, often leveraging diplomacy alongside military might.
The War of the Two Peters was characterised by a series of intermittent battles, shifting alliances, and widespread devastation across the Iberian Peninsula. Early in the conflict, both kingdoms sought to secure alliances to bolster their military efforts. Peter IV of Aragon allied with France and the Kingdom of Navarre, while Peter I of Castile courted the support of England, particularly during the broader scope of the Hundred Years’ War.
One of the pivotal moments came with the involvement of the infamous mercenary leader Bertrand du Guesclin, who played a significant role in the shifting fortunes of the conflict. His leadership of the Free Companies—bands of formidable, seasoned soldiers available for hire—added a ruthless edge to the warfare. Du Guesclin initially supported Peter IV of Aragon, taking part in battles that ravaged Castilian territories.
The war also intertwined with Castile’s internal strife, notably the Castilian Civil War, where Peter I faced rebellion from his half-brother, Henry of Trastámara. Henry’s claim to the throne, supported by Aragon and France, further complicated the conflict. This civil war segment of the broader struggle saw dramatic shifts in control, with Peter I experiencing both significant victories and harrowing defeats.
The protracted nature of the war led to widespread devastation. Towns and agricultural lands suffered from repeated raids and battles, causing economic decline and population displacement. The maritime dimensions of the conflict also affected Mediterranean trade, as naval engagements disrupted commerce and strained relations with other maritime powers.
Diplomatic efforts intermittently attempted to broker peace, but mutual distrust and the entangled interests of foreign allies often undermined these initiatives. The Treaty of Almazán in 1375 eventually brought an end to hostilities, though it did little to resolve the deep-seated animosities between Castile and Aragon.
The war’s conclusion left both kingdoms exhausted and economically weakened. Peter I of Castile was ultimately defeated and killed in 1369 during the Castilian Civil War, leading to Henry of Trastámara’s ascension as Henry II of Castile. This marked the beginning of the Trastámara dynasty, which would rule Castile and later unite with Aragon through dynastic marriage, setting the stage for the eventual unification of Spain.
Peter IV of Aragon, though surviving the war, faced internal challenges of his own, dealing with rebellious nobles and efforts to consolidate his kingdom’s authority. The conflict’s legacy endured in the lingering rivalries and the shifting balance of power within the Iberian Peninsula.