| Conflict: | Battle of Marvão |
| Partof: | the Spanish invasion of Portugal |
| Date: | 9–10 November 1762 |
| Place: | Marvão, Portugal |
| Coordinates: | 39.3945°N -7.3766°W |
| Result: | Anglo-Portuguese victory[1] |
| Combatant1: | Portugal |
| Combatant2: | Spain |
| Commander1: | Thomas Browne |
| Commander2: | Unknown |
| Strength1: | 500[2] |
| Strength2: | 4,000[3] |
| Casualties1: | Light |
| Casualties2: | Heavy[4] |
The Battle of Marvão was a military action that took place during the Fantastic War and the Anglo-Spanish War and was part of the attempted Spanish and French invasion of Portugal in late 1762.[5] A sizeable Spanish force attacked the castle town of Marvão but was repelled and defeated by an Anglo-Portuguese force under the command of Captain Thomas Browne.[6] [7]
Two Spanish offensives aimed to overrun Portugal had failed during the summer of 1762.[8] Around the same time Spain received the support of France with 10,000 troops and equipment while Britain had sent reinforcements to aid the Portuguese; in total around 8,000 men led by John Burgoyne and General George Townshend.[9] The third invasion of Portuguese territory was stimulated by the peace negotiations between France and Great Britain.[2] Spain's position and bargaining power during the peace talks would be reinforced with a surprise attack in late autumn (campaigns were held off until Spring generally at this time).[10] However, the commander in Portugal, Count Lippe, had already reinforced essential garrisons with British troops and officers and first-line Portuguese troops.[3]
The Spanish split their army into several corps, each attacking a specific target.[5] Marvão was one the Spanish hoped to seize and hold.[10]
The Castle of Marvão, which sat on a granite crag of the Serra de São Mamede near the Tagus on the frontier, was a critical dominant feature which was vital to take to make the Spanish crossing of the Tagus easier.[3] The castle itself was defended by 500 men under Captain Thomas Browne who was in charge of a company of Colonel Bigoe Armstrong's 83rd Regiment of foot with a small detachment of Portuguese troops, militia and some cannon.[5]
As the Spanish corps strength of 4000 to 5000 men approached the area, the terrorized population pressed for surrender, but the firmness of Captain Browne prevailed, who was at first expecting a long siege.[1] He was surprised when the Spanish attacked giving the nature of the fortification's high defensive position.[4]
The Spanish attempted to move up via the straightforward approach of the southeast side of Marvão; Brown then sent reinforcements from the central citadel to that side.[2] The British and Portuguese opened fire with muskets and cannons against the Spanish assailants who tried to throw themselves up against the walls.[11] To compound problems many of the Spanish scaling ladders were too short to mount the walls, and they were easily repelled with heavy losses; the Spanish lost many men to accidents as well as cannon and musket fire.[2] [5] The Spanish commander, realizing the surprise was lost and the castle being well defended, called off the attack; he was not prepared for a siege and retreated the next day.[3]
The other Spanish advance was halted at Ouguela (another small fort), but the Portuguese garrison was equally prepared there.[1] The Spanish were driven before the place with considerable losses and obliged to abandon the attempt.[2] [11]
On 19 November, both garrisons retaliated, joined forces, and raided and held the Spanish town of La Codosera.[7] The resistance that the Spaniards met with in these small places had a visible effect upon their movements and convinced them that any attempt upon the Alentejo would require a decisive victory.[1] The lateness of the season in some measure contributed to this, and disease was taking a huge toll, as well as the lack of supplies.[7]
On 15 November, the Spanish force retreated; on 22 November, Spain asked for a truce.[10]