Siege of Hostalric

The Siege of Hostalric was was the first major action of the War Against John II. It took place on 23 May 1462.

Background

In 1460, after John II imprisoned Charles of Viana, the Catalans at the Corts de Lleida formed the Consell del Principat in opposition to the government of John in Catalonia. The Consell demanded that John liberate Charles immediately and accept the Capitulation of Vilafranca, which prohibited John from entering Catalonia without the permission of the Generalitat so long as he disagreed with their legislation.Pedres de Girona, [http://www.pedresdegirona.com/historia_mediev_6.htm "El setge de la Força del 1462"] .] John capitulated.

The subsequent death of Charles only three weeks after his liberation threatened the peace. The king sent his wife, Joana Enríquez, to Barcelona with the intention of overturning the capitulation and sowing discord among the Catalan factions. [Hiperenciclopèdia catalana ECSA, [http://www.uoc.edu/in3/hermeneia/exemples/DespuigWeb/Personatgesdiversos/carles_de_viana.htm "Carles d'Aragó (o de Viana)".] ] The relationship between the queen and the representatives of the Catalan government was strained during the six months she was in Barcelona with her son, Charles' successor as heir, Ferdinand. In March 1462 the queen and the prince left for Girona, while the "pagesos de remença" revolted against the government in hopes of receiving royal support and abolishing the "mals usos".

Leadup to battle

At Girona the queen convoked a general council on 23 April 1462. She reorganised the citizen militia and proceeded to repair the city's walls and towers. [Ciutat de Girona, [http://www.ciutatdegirona.info/Catala/Historia/XV.html "Girona al segle XV".] ] Ciutat de Girona, [http://www.ciutatdegirona.info/Catala/Historia/XV.html "Girona al segle XV".] ] On 12 May she sent a force of 200 men to Bernat Joan de Cabrera, head of the garrison of Hostalric. On 13 May the Consell del Principat sent an ambassador to the castle to assure that the council's army, which was marching on Girona, would be well received.

In a final preparation for battle, Joana sealed an alliance with the leader of the "remences", Francesc de Verntallat. The rebels agreed to bar the pass of the Consell's army at Hostalric, while Joana sent 600 men to reinforce the "remences". A ship of arms and food was sent to Sant Feliu de Guíxols to gain time as the "remences" organised themselves.

iege

The army of the Consell was commanded by captain Pere de Bell-lloc i de Sentmenat. [ [http://www.selva.cat/municipis/index.php?id_muni=9&apartat=guia&sub=hist Consell comarcal de la Selva.] ] After easily frightening the "remences" of Verntallat into retreat on 23 May, Pere besieged Hostalric. [ [http://www.remences.com/mapaca2.jpgMapa de les operacions remences.] ] The "remences" fled to Girona.

To impress upon the town the urgency of surrender, Pere began destroying the surrounding vineyards and wheat fields. The townspeople opened the gates to the Consell and the town fell without a fight. The castle too was surrendered without combat, but the Tower of Friars, defended by a single man, was attacked by the crossbowmen. Bernat Joan de Cabrera was taken prisoner. On 29 May the Consell sent the remainder of their army stationed at Barcelona to besiege Girona. Hostalric remained a stronghold of the Consell until the end of the war.

References

Bibliography

*Sobrequés, Santiago and Jaume Sobrequés (1987). "La guerra civil catalana del segle XV", 2nd ed., 2 vol. Edicions 62, ISBN 84 297 2699 3.
*Hernàndez, F. Xavier (2003). "Història militar de Catalunya, Vol. III: La defensa de la Terra". Rafael Dalmau, ed. ISBN 84 232 0664 5.
*"Atles d'Història de Catalunya". Edicions 62. ISBN 978 84 297 4061 5.