Battle of Villafranca (1809)

Battle of Villafranca del Bierzo
Part of the Peninsular War
Villafranca del Bierzo
Battle of Villafranca (1809) (Spain)
Date17 March 1809
Location42°36′N 6°49′W / 42.600°N 6.817°W / 42.600; -6.817
Result Spanish victory
Belligerents
French Empire Spain
Commanders and leaders
unknown General La Romana
Strength
1,200 3,800–6,000
6 guns
Casualties and losses
700 killed
575 captured
Unknown
Peninsular War: Second French invasion
110km
68miles
6
Sanpayo
5
Grijó
4
Porto
3
Braga
2
Villafranca
1
Chaves
  current battle

The Battle of Villafranca del Bierzo took place on 17 March 1809, during the French occupation of León in the Peninsular War. After a bloody four-hour siege the small and isolated French garrison at Villafranca surrendered to Spanish regulars under Brigadier José de Mendizábal and General Pedro Caro, 3rd Marquis of la Romana.