Battle of Sagrajas (1086 AD)

By Angel Legna

In the year 1086 AD, Ben Yussef (Yusuf ibn Tashfin), Emir of the Almoravids, defeated King Alfonso VI of Castile-Leon at the battle of Sagrajas (Zalacas for the moslems), near of the city of Badajoz in Spain. Arrogant after his recapture of Toledo, Alfonso rebuffed offers of tribute from the moslem "Taifa" states of Al-Andalus and marched south toward Grenada. In response, Mohammed al-Mutamid of Seville solicited help from Ben Yussef who brought an army of fanatical Almoravids across the Mediterranean from north Africa.

The advancing Spanish army defeated and pursued the Andalusian army, which fled along the road to Badajoz (Sagrajas) On route, the Spanish army found the Almoravid army encamped beyond a hill alongside their route. King Alfonso resolved to attack it rather than leaving it in his rear. During the subsequent battle, the Spanish heavily engaged the Almoravids and fought for possession of their baggage. However, the Andalusian army regrouped and fell upon the Spanish rear. Alfonso VI, King of Castilla-Leon, suffered a serious defeat, and escaped with only a few of his followers. The Almoravids decapitated thousands of Spanish soldiers and sent their heads to the most important cities of Al-Andalus. Ben Yusef, however, returned with his army to North Africa until 1091 AD, allowing Alfonso time to regroup, seek aid from France, and mend fences with his estranged general Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar (El Cid).

The Armies

Medieval Spanish: 4xKn*, 3xSp, 2xLh, 1xCv, 2xPs.

Almoravids: 4xLh* , 1xCm, 2xSp, 1xSp, 2xBw, 2xPs.

*=General's Element.

I have modified the composition of the Spanish army for purposes of this battle.

Deployment

The Spanish army. deploys near of the road. In the centre the army of Castilla-Leon: 2 Kn*,1Lh,1Cv, in first line, and behind 3 spears. In the left wing near to the river, the French and Italians allies: 1 Kn, 2 Ps. And in the right wing the Aragoneses allies: 1 Kn, 1Lh. There is no camp.

The Almoravids deploy their camp (baggage), the C-in-C and 1xSp (Black Guard) on the hill. In the centre, deploy 2xBw, 2xSp, and 2xPs. On the the right wing, near the river, deploy 2x Lh. And on the left wing deploy 1xCm & 1xLh.

The Battle Map


     ============Almoravid Baseline===================
     . . . . . . r . . . h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h
     . . . . . . r . . . h h h h h h h h h h h h h h .
     . . . . . . r . . . . h h h h h h h h h h h h h .
     . . . . . . r . . . . h h h h h h h h h h h h h .
     . . . . . . r . . . . . . h h h h h h h h h h . .
     . . . . . . r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
     f f f f . . r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
     f f f f f . r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
     f f f f f . r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
     f f f f f . r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
     f f f f f . r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
     f f f f f . r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
     f f f f f . r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
     f f f f f . r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
     f f f f f . r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
     f f f f . . r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
     f f f f . . r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
     f f f f . . r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
     . . . . . . r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
     . . . . . . r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
     . . . . . . r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
     R R R R R R # R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R   Road To
     . . . . . . r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   Badajoz
     . . . . . . r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
     =============Spanish Baseline====================

Scale

The space between each dot/letter is one inch.

Terrain Key

.=Good Going (Good Going)
#=Bridge
h=Gentle Hill (Good Going)
f=Light Wood (Bad Going)
r=River
R=ROAD

Terrain Notes

The river is moderate, providing a +1 modifier to troops defending its banks.

Special Rules

Almoravids:

Psilois can support Spear (like Blades)
Black Guard fight at +1 in close combat.
Camelry fight at +1 when in close combat.
Andalusian Allies: Beginning on turn three, roll 1D6 at the beginning of the Almoravid bound for the arrival of the Andalusian allies. Two elements of Lh arrive on a result of 6. Add a +1 modifier to the roll on each subsequent turn (e.g. Lh arrives on roll of 5 or 6 on turn 4) until the Light Horse arrive. The Andalusian Light Horse enter anywhere along the Spanish baseline. Once they arrive on the table, these elements count for victory purposes if eliminated and the Almoravid breakpoint is adjusted to five elements lost.

The Spanish army:

The Christian knights fight at +3 vs the Almoravid camelry.

Victory Conditions

Normal DBA.

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Last Update: Oct. 27, 2000

My thanks to Angel Legna for submitting this scenario. Comments, questions, and suggestions are welcome. Send them to Chris Brantley at brant@erols.com.

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