Vimeiro, battle of

views updated May 21 2018

Vimeiro, battle of, 1808. The first major battle of the Peninsular War. British troops under Arthur Wellesley (Wellington) landed in Portugal at Mondego Bay on 1 August 1808 to assist the Portuguese by marching on Lisbon 30 miles to the south. The French, under Junot, numbered 14,000 and attacked on 21 August but were repulsed by Wellesley with 17,000 men. The French retreat might have become a rout but for the intervention of Wellesley's more cautious superior officer, Sir Harry Burrard, who landed during the course of the battle. The victory was later marred by the controversial terms of the convention of Cintra.

Richard A. Smith