Battle of Ceuta: Facts, Discussion Forum, and Encyclopedia Article

Battle of Ceuta

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	Battle of Ceuta
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	Topics Battle of Ceuta Topic Home The Battle of Ceuta and the subsequent conquest of the MorocconMorocco The Kingdom of Morocco is a country in North Africa.... city of CeutaCeuta Ceuta is a Spanish exclave in North Africa, located on the Mediterranean, on the southern coast of the Strait of Gibraltar, ... by the PortuguesePortugal Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic is located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula, and is the w... had its roots in the earliest years of the House of AvizHouse of Aviz The House of Aviz is a dynasty of kings of Portugal.... dynasty of Portugal. Both the Battle of Ceuta and, in a larger sense, the era of EuropeEurope Europe is one of the seven traditional continents of the Earth.... an expansion were influenced by the Infant Dom Henrique of Portugal; he is better known to history as Prince Henry the Navigator. Born in 1394, Henry was the third son of King João IJohn I of Portugal Joo I of Portugal KG, in English, John I was the 10th king of Portugal and Algarve and the first to use the title Lord... and his Queen, Philippa, who were monarchs from the House of AvizHouse of Aviz Overview The House of Aviz is a dynasty of kings of Portugal.... . He and his brothers lived in an era where honour was as much earned as inherited; the medieval concept of chivalryChivalry Chivalry refers to the medieval institution of knighthood and, most especially, the ideals that were associated with it.... still held sway in European courts. Given this worldview, it is not surprising that João I led his sons and their assembled forces in an attack on the MuslimMuslim Summary A Muslim is an adherent of Islam.... stronghold of Ceuta in 1415. This "baptismBaptism Baptism is generally a water purification ritual practiced in many of various religions including Christianity, Mandaeanism,... of blood" was a traditional manner by which nobles proved their valor. In addition, the expedition fed the crusading spirit of the warriors, as there was no greater glory for Iberian Christians of the ReconquistaReconquista The *Reconquista* was the process by which the Christian Kingdoms of northern Hispania defeated and expelled the souther... than that attained through the defeat of the SaracenSaracen In older Western historical literature, the Saracens were the people of the Saracen Empire, another name for the Arab ... hordes. The Portuguese conquest of Ceuta served larger purposes than simply winning knightKnight Summary Knight is the English term for a social position originating in the Middle Ages.... ly spurs for the sons of João I; their victory over the forces of IslamIslam Islam is a monotheistic religion based upon the Qur'an, which adherents believe was sent by God through Muhammad.... rekindled dreams of a unified ChristendomChristendom Christendom, in the widest sense, refers to Christianity as a territorial phenomenon: those countries where most people are ... that could subdue IslamIslam Islam is a monotheistic religion based upon the Qur'an, which adherents believe was sent by God through Muhammad.... in a multi-pronged conflict. The prospect of a triumphant militaryMilitary A military or military force has seen many different incarnations throughout time.... and religious unification with distant Christian empires thus increased in its attraction to European leaders. The battle itself was almost anti-climactic, because the 45,000 men who traveled on 200 Portuguese shipShip A ship is a large, sea-going watercraft.... s caught the defenders of Ceuta off guard. An attack that commenced on the morning of August 14, 1415 ended with the capture of the town by nightfall. Prince Henry distinguished himself in the battle, being wounded during the conquest of the city that was known as the “Key to the Mediterranean.” Thus, one of the major northern trade centers of the Islamic world was now in the possession of Portugal. This African conquest was the first significant ripple of a wave of European expansion that would reach every continent on the globe.