Battle of Vatalandi

Battle of Vatalandi (1110)
Part of Reconquista
Date 1110 Location Near Santarém, Portugal Result Almoravid victory
Belligerents
Almoravids	County of Portugal
Commanders and leaders
Syr ibn Abi Bakr	Soario Fromariges  † Mido Crescones  †
Strength
Unknown	Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Heavy

The Battle of Vatalandi was a military engagement between the Almoravid troops and the Portuguese at Vatalandi, near Santarém. The Almoravids were victorious.

After the death of Alfonso VI of León and Castile, the Muslim inhabitants of Sintra, which was under Christian control, revolted in 1109. The Portuguese count, Henry quickly arrived and captured the castle, putting down the revolt. The next year, 1110, saw the Almoravid leader, Syr ibn Abi Bakr, subduing the Muslim west of Andalusia. The Almoravid forces had already crossed the Tagus River, making an entry to Extremadura. Henry, however, feared that the spirit of the rebellion would spread to other towns nearby, which they mutually assisted each other. ^{[1] [2]}

Seeing the Almoravid campaigning in Extremadura and fearing another rebellion, Count Henry sent troops to reinforce the garrison of Santarém in early 1110. An important place he wanted to protect. The Portuguese forces were under Soario Fromariges and Mido Crescones. The Portuguese marched carelessly, encamped at a place called Vatalandi, and erected their tents to rest. However, the Almoravids crossed the Tagus, alongside Andalusians and Arabs. Knowing the Portuguese were small in numbers, they attacked and routed them, inflicting heavy casualties. The wounded were massacred. The commanders, Soario and Mido were killed in the battle. ^{[3] [4] [5]}

The location of Vatalandi remains unknown. ^[6] According to José Mattoso, Vatalandi is near Santarém. ^[7] Perhaps in Valada, in the municipality of Cartaxo. ^[8]

References

1. Francisco de S. Luiz, p. 176
2. Alexandre Herculano, p. 219
3. Francisco de S. Luiz, p. 176
4. Alexandre Herculano, p. 219
5. Christóvam Ayres, p. 313
6. Barrilaro Ruas, Henrique (1949). A data do desastre de Vatalandi, p. 372.
7. José Mattoso (1989), O castelo e a Feira, a Terra de Santa Maria nos séculos XI a XIII, p. 136.
8. João Diogo Rodrigues de Carvalho (2022), Santarém e a Reconquista: a tomada da cidade em 1147, p. 34.

Sources

• Alexandre Herculano (1901), Historia de Portugal, Vol I.

• Christóvam Ayres de Magalhães Sepúlveda (1902), História orgânica e política do exército portuguêz, Vol. III.

• Francisco de S. Luiz (1873), Obras completas do cardeal Saraiva, Vol II.