Fall of Ubeda

Fall of Ubeda (1212)
Part of the Reconquista and Almohad wars in the Iberian Peninsula
DateAugust, 1212
Location
Result Crusader victory
Belligerents
Almohad Caliphate
Commanders and leaders
Unknown
Strength
12,000–14,000 70,000 inhabitants
Casualties and losses
Very light 60,000–70,000 killed or enslaved (exaggerated)

In August 1212, the major Andalusian city of Úbeda was besieged and captured by an army of crusaders led by Alfonso VIII of Castile. The conquest came as an aftermath of the crusader victory at the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa. The Muslim inhabitants of the town negotiated a peaceful surrender of the town to which Alphonso initially agreed. However, the other leaders of the crusade persuaded him to abandon the agreement and sack the city, leading to a violent massacre and mass enslavement of the inhabitants.