Welcome to British Battles (britishbattles.com).

Welcome to Britishbattles.com the site that gives you the battles fought by Britain and its Empire forces, illustrated and mapped.

Click on the battle you wish to view in the left margin list. The battles are listed chronologically by war.

Our most recently posted battles are:

Siege of Delhi

The recapture of Delhi from the Mutineers during the Indian Mutiny of 1857/8

Battle of Worcester

The Battle of Worcester fought between the Parliamentarian army of Oliver Cromwell and the Royalist and Scottish army of King Charles II; final battle of the English Civil War fought on 3^rd September 1651.

Battle of Dunbar

Cromwell’s overwhelming defeat of the Scottish Covenanters fighting for King Charles II on 3^rd September 1650 in the English Civil War.

Battle of Dupplin Moor

The Battle on 9^th August 1332 in the Scottish Wars of Independence in which the army of the ‘Disinherited’ overwhelmed a much larger Scottish army with the first use in battle of massed longbowmen.

Battle of Pinkie

The victory of the English over the Scots in the ‘War of the Rough Wooing’ on 10^th September 1547

Battle of the Standard: 

The battle around the sacred standard, comprising the banners of St Peter of York, St Wilfred of Ripon and St John of Beverley, between the English and the Scots on 22^nd August 1138.

Battle of Stamford Bridge

The Battle in the North of England on 25^th September 1066 where King Harold crushed the attempt of Harold Hardrada, King of Norway, to take the throne of England with the aid of Harold’s brother Tostig and a Viking army.

Battle of Evesham

The battle on 4^th August 1265 seeing the defeat and death of Simon de Montfort in the Second Barons’ War.

Battle of Lewes

The Battle of Lewes on 14^th May 1264 between Simon de Montfort and King Henry III in the Barons’ War.

Siege of Harfleur

The English capture of the port of Harfleur in the Hundred Years War that gave King Henry V the base he needed for his invasion of France in August 1415.

Battle of Falkirk

King Edward I’s resounding defeat of William Wallace’s Scots army on 22^nd July 1298.

Battle of Stirling Bridge

The battle won by William Wallace over the English invaders on 11^th September 1297.

Siege of Calais

The English siege of Calais between 4^th September 1346 and 3^rd August 1347 in the Hundred Years War and its capture leading to an English occupation of the town for 200 years.

Battle of Caen

The English capture of the French town of Caen on 26^th July 1346 in the Hundred Years War at the beginning of King Edward III’s invasion of France.

Battle of Cocherel

The battle in Normandy on 16^th May 1364 during the Hundred Years War between armies led by the Captal de Buch and Bertrand du Guescelin.

Battle of Winchelsea

King Edward III’s naval victory over a Castilian fleet commanded by Charles of Spain off the coast of Southern England on 29^th August 1350 during the Hundred Years War.

Battle of La Rochelle

The naval battle on 22^nd June 1372 in the Hundred Years War between the English and the Castilians which saw the complete destruction of the English fleet and of England’s plans for the defence of Gascony against the French

Battle of Mauron

The battle on 14^th August 1352 in the Hundred Years War at which 89 members of the French King John II’s new order of chivalry the ‘Order of the Star’ were killed by the Anglo-Bretons

Battle of Castillon

The death of the English commander John Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury and the defeat of his Anglo-Gascon army by the French artillery general Jean Bureau on 17^th July 1453 in the battle that ended English dominion over Gascony and brought the Hundred Years War between England and France to a close

Battle of Formigny

The French victory over the English on 15^th April 1450 in the Hundred Years War that destroyed the last English army in Normandy

Battle of Patay

The French victory over the English on 18^th June 1429 in the Hundred Years War inspired by Joan of Arc

the Siege of Orléans

The unsuccessful English siege of Orléans between October 1428 and May 1429 that saw the dramatic emergence of Joan of Arc and the beginning of the end of the English invasion of France and the Hundred Years War

Battle of the Herrings

The successful defence of a supply column bringing Lenten fare to the army of the Earl of Salisbury besieging Orleans on 11^th February 1429 in the Hundred Years War

the Battle of Cravant

The defeat of a French and Scots army on 31^st July 1423 by the Earl of Salisbury near Auxerre in the Hundred Years War

the Battle of Verneuil

The devastating defeat by the Duke of Bedford’s English army of the French army of the Dauphin and his Scots allies and mercenaries from Lombardy and Castile on 17^th August 1424 in the Hundred Years War; a battle described by the French as a ‘Second Agincourt’

 the Battle of Baugé

The defeat of the Duke of Clarence and his English army by the Scots and French army of the Dauphin of France on 22^nd March 1421 in the Hundred Years War

the Battle of Najera

The Black Prince’s victory over Henry of Trastamara, King of Castile, on 3^rd April 1367, described as his most successful battle militarily and disastrous politically

the Battle of Auray

The battle on 29th September 1364 in the Hundred Years War that ended the Breton Civil War in favour of the English supported candidate John de Montfort

 the Battle of Shrewsbury

The savage battle on 21^st July 1403 that abruptly ended Harry Hotspur’s attempt to wrest the throne of England from King Henry IV

the Battle of Homildon Hill

The border battle of 1402 in which the Scots lost a generation of chiefs to the English archers

the Battle of Otterburn

The Scots Earl of Douglas’s defeat of his long standing English rival, Sir Henry ‘Hotspur’ Percy, Earl of Northumberland, on the England/Scotland Border in the summer of 1388

 the Battle of La Roche-Derrien

The savage fight between the English force of Sir Thomas Dagworth and the Breton/French army of Charles of Blois outside the besieged Breton town of La Roche-Derrien on 20^th June 1347 in the Hundred Years War.

the Battle of Morlaix

The first land battle between the English and the French of the Hundred Years War fought in Brittany on 30^th September 1342.

 the Battle of Halidon Hill

The heavy defeat of the Scots outside Berwick on 19^th July 1333 by the English army of King Edward III, one of the first uses of massed longbows by the English.

Battle of Neville’s Cross: 

The crushing defeat on 17^th October 1346 of David II, son of Robert the Bruce and King of Scotland, whose capture and the loss of several of Scotland’s military leaders left Scotland helpless for many years.

Tirah 1897

The extensive operation in the Tirah to the south of the Khyber Pass that followed the attacks by the Afridi tribes in the Khyber Pass and the attacks by the Orakzais on the Samana Range forts, part of the risings that engulfed the North-West Frontier of British India in 1897

Battle of Maida

General Stuart’s victory over the French army of General Reynier in Southern Italy on 4^th July 1806 during the Napoleonic Wars

Battle of Alexandria

The British victory in Egypt, 8^th to 21^st March 1801, over Napoleon Buonaparte’s vaunted veterans of the Army of Italy

73. Podcast on the Battle of Alexandria: the British victory in Egypt, fought between 8^th and 21^st March 1801 during the French Revolutionary War, over Napoleon Buonaparte’s vaunted veterans of the Army of Italy: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

72. Podcast on the Battle of Flodden:the defeat on 9th September 1513 at the hands of the English that annihilated a generation of Scottish aristocracy including the Scots king, King James IV: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

71.Podcast on the Siege of Ladysmith: The siege in Natal during the Boer War that ensnared a British army from 2^ndNovember 1899 to 27^thFebruary1900, but blocked the Boer invasion of the colony: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

70.Podcast on the Siege of Kimberley: the diamond-mining town in the north of Cape Colony in Southern Africa, between 14^thOctober 1899 and 15^thFebruary 1900 in the Boer War, whose relief dominated the strategy of the western British forces: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

69. Podcast on the Siege of Mafeking from 14^thOctober 1899 to 16^thMay 1900 in the Boer War: the siege of the railway town on the border between Bechuanaland and the Transvaal that fired British imagination with its resourceful defence by Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Scout Movement: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

68. Podcast on the Battle of Paardeberg: the close fought battle in the Boer War between 18^th and 27^th February 1900 that ended with the surrender of Cronje’s Boer army to the British: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

67.Podcast on the Battles of Val Krantz and Pietersfought between 5^th and 28^th February 1900 in the Boer War: The third unsuccessful attempt by Buller to push across the Tugela River followed by the fourth, final and successful crossing of the Tugela, leading to the relief of Ladysmith: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

66. Podcast on the Battle of Spion Kop fought on 24^thJanuary 1900 in the Boer War: the iconic British defeat, during Buller’s second and disastrous attempt to cross the Tugela River and relieve Ladysmith: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

65. Podcast on the Battle of Colenso: fought on 15^thDecember 1899 in the Boer War: Buller’s disastrous first attempt to cross the Tugela River in Natal and relieve Ladysmith, the last of the three battles of ‘Black Week’: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

64 .Podcast on the Battle of Magersfontein: Lord Methuen’s disastrous defeat at the hands of Cronje’s Boers on 11th December 1899 in the Boer War; the Highland Brigade suffering severe loss: the second battle of ‘Black Week’: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

63. Podcast on the Battle of Stormberg: General Gatacre’s disastrous defeat in Northern Cape Colony, fought on 9th/10th December 1899 in the Boer War; the first battle of ‘Black Week’:John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

62. Podcast of the Battle of Modder River fought on 28^thNovember 1899 in the Boer War as Lord Methuen’s British force advanced to relieve Kimberley: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

61. Podcast on the Battle of Graspan (also known as Enslin) fought on 25^thNovember 1899 in the Great Boer War leading to the British advance to the disastrous battles of Modder River and Magersfontein: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

60. Podcast on the Battle of Belmont fought on 23^rd November 1899 in the Boer War, beginning the British advance to relieve Kimberley, besieged by the Boers: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

59.Podcast on the Battle of Ladysmith fought on 29^th October 1899 in the Boer War, also known as Lombard’s Kop and Nicholson’s Nek, the first defeat for the British in the war, leading to the Siege of Ladysmith: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

58. Podcast on the Battle of Elandslaagtefought on 21^st October 1899 in the Great Boer War with the devastating charge by the British 5^th Dragoon Guards and 5^th Lancers:John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

57. Podcast on the Battle of Talana Hill: the first battle of the Great Boer War, also known as the Battle of Dundee, fought in Northern Natal on 20^th October 1899:John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

56.Podcast on the Battle of Ulundi: the final battle of the Zulu War, fought on 4^th July 1879; Lord Chelmsford’s troops destroying the army of the Zulu King Cetshwayo: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

55.Podcast on the Battle of Gingindlovu: fought on 2^nd April 1879 in the Zulu War, Lord Chelmsford defeating a Zulu army on his route to Ulundi:John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

54.Podcast on the Battle of Khambulaon 29^th March 1879 in the Zulu War: the defeat by Colonel Evelyn Wood VC of a Zulu army in the opening stages of the war: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

53.Podcast on the Battle of Rorke’s Drift in the Zulu War: the iconic defence on 22^nd January 1879 of the mission station in Natal by a small force of British and colonial troops; winning a record number of Victoria Crosses and inspiring Victorian Britain: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

52.Podcast on the Battle of Isandlwanafought on 22^nd January 1879 in the Zulu War; where the Zulus wiped out a substantial British force rocking British Victorian society:John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

51.Podcast on the Sortie from Bayonne: the terrible night-time clash outside Bayonne on 14^th April 1814, that marked the end of the Peninsular War, but occurred after the abdication of the Emperor Napoleon on 4^th April 1814: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

50. Podcast on the Battle of Toulouse fought on 10^th April 1814 by Wellington against Marshal Soult outside the French City of Toulouse in Southern France; the last battle fought by Wellington in the Peninsular War: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

49.   Podcast on the Battle of Tarbes: fought by Wellington against Marshal Soult on 20^th March 1814 in Southern France during the Peninsular War; where the three Battalions of the 95^th Rifles distinguished themselves:John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

48.  Podcast on the Battle of Orthez: fought on 2nd February 1814 during the Peninsular War in the south-west of France; with Wellington pushing Marshal Soult’s Army of the Pyrenees back across the River Adour: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

47.  Podcast on the Battle of St Pierre: fought on 13^th December 1813 in the Peninsular War, the last day of the crossing of the River Nive by Wellington’s army; described as some of the fiercest fighting of the war: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

46. Podcast on the Battle of the Nive: fought between 9^th and 13^th December 1813 in the Peninsular War with Wellington’s army crossing the River Nive and moving further into France; a battle with some of the fiercest fighting of the Peninsular War: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

45. Podcast on the Battle of the Nivelle: fought on 10^th November 1813, during the Peninsular War; Wellington’s army crossing the River Nivelle and moving from the Pyrenees Mountains into the plains of France: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

44. Podcast on the Battle of the Bidassoa: fought on 7^th October 1813 during the Peninsular War with Wellington’s army crossing the River Bidassoa into France:John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

43. Podcast on the Battle of San Marcial: fought on 31^st August and 1^st September 1813 along the French border, during the Peninsular War; with Spanish troops decisively repelling the French attack: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

42. Podcast on the Battle of the Pyrenees: the battles fought between 25^th July and 2^nd August 1813 in the western Pyrenees Mountains, during the Peninsular War; Wellington decisively repelling Marshal Soult’s incursion across the border to relieve the French garrisons in Pamplona and San Sebastian: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

41. Podcast on the Storming of San Sebastian: the hard-fought struggle to capture the city port on the north-east coast of Spain near the French border between 11^th July and 9^th September 1813 in the Peninsular War: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

40. Podcast on the Battle of San Millan and Osma:the clash in the mountains of Northern Spain on 18^th June 1813 between the van of Wellington’s advancing army and General Reille’s French ‘Army of Portugal’, as it withdrew to Vitoria: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

39. Podcast on the Battle of Morales de Toro: The successful cavalry action fought by the British Hussar Brigade against the French 16^th and 21^st Dragoons on 1^st June 1813 in the Peninsular War: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

38. Podcast on the Retreat from Burgos:Wellington’s retreat to Ciudad Rodrigo following the unsuccessful attack on Burgos in the Autumn of 1812 in the Peninsular War: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

37. Podcast on the Attack on Burgos between 19^th September and 25^th October 1812 in the Peninsular War: Wellington’s unsuccessful assault on the Spanish City following the Battle of Salamanca: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

36. Podcast on the Battle of Majadahonda: the engagement on 11^th August 1812 in the Peninsular War between Wellington’s advanced guard and Joseph Buonaparte’s cavalry rear-guard: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

35. Podcast on the Battle of Garcia Hernandez fought on 23^rd July 1812 in the Peninsular War, the second day of the Battle of Salamanca, when King’s German Legion Dragoons overwhelmed French infantry squares during the French retreat: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

34. Podcast on the Capture of Havana: The capture of the Spanish port of Havana on the island of Cuba on 14^th August 1762 in the Seven Years War by the Royal Navy and the British Army in a notably successful combined operation: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

33. Podcast on the Battle of Laswaree: The triumph of British and Bengal light cavalry in General Lake’s defeat of the Gwalior Mahrattas on 1^st November 1803, after capturing Delhi, the future capital city of British-ruled India: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

Capture of Havana in 1762

The capture of the Spanish port of Havana on the island of Cuba on 14^th August 1762 in the Seven Year War by the Royal Navy and the British Army, a notably successful combined operation

32. Podcast on the Storming of Siringapatam: The capture on 4^th May 1799 of Tipu Sultan’s palace fortress: A key battle in the conquest of South India by the British: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

31. Podcast on the Battle of Almaraz:Rowland Hill’s resourceful destruction of the fortified French bridge of boats at Almaraz over the River Tagus on 19^th May 1812 during the Peninsular War:John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

30. Podcast of the Battle of Villagarcia: The successful cavalry action fought by the British against the French on 11^thApril 1812 during the Peninsular War: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

29. Podcast of the Battle of Salamanca: Wellington’s victory on 22^nd July 1812 over the French army of Marshal Marmont, during the Peninsular War, leading to the re-capture of Madrid; also known as the Battle of Los Arapiles or Les Arapiles: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

Battle of Almaraz:

Rowland Hill’s resourceful destruction of the fortified French bridge of boats at Almaraz over the River Tagus on 19^th May 1812, during the Peninsular War

28. Podcast of the Battle of Vitoria: Wellington’s decisive defeat of Joseph Bonaparte’s French army on 21^st June 1813 in the Peninsular War: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

27.Podcast of the Storming of Badajoz: Wellington’s capture, on 6^th April 1812, of the second French base on the Portuguese border, the southern gateway for the British invasion of Spain, during the Peninsular War: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

26. Podcast of the Storming of Ciudad Rodrigo: The sudden capture by Wellington on 19^th January 1812 of Marmont’s ‘base of operations’ for the intended third French invasion of Portugal during the Peninsular War: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

25. Podcast of the Battle of Arroyo Molinos: the spectacular destruction of Girard’s French Division by General Rowland Hill on 28^thOctober 1811 in the Peninsular War: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

24.  Podcast of the Battle of El Bodon: The successful rear-guard actions fought on 25^th September 1811 in the Peninsular War by Wellington’s troops against French cavalry: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

23.  Podcast of the Battle of Usagre: The brisk battle fought on 25^th May 1811 in the Peninsular War, where a powerful force of French dragoons was overwhelmed by the British 3^rd Dragoon Guards and 4^thDragoons with their Spanish and Portuguese allies: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

Battle of Albuera (re-write)

Marshal Beresford’s hard-fought battle against Marshal Soult on 16^th May 1811 during the Peninsular War, with his army of British, Portuguese and Spanish troops.

22. Podcast of the Battle of Albuera: Marshal Beresford’s hard-fought battle against Marshal Soult on 16^thMay 1811 during the Peninsular War, with his army of British, Portuguese and Spanish troops: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

Battle of Fuentes de Oñoro (re-write)

Wellington’s hard-fought battle to prevent Massena relieving the fortress of Almeida on 3^rd to 5^th May 1811 in the Peninsular War

21.Podcast of the Battle of Fuentes de Oñoro: Wellington’s hard-fought battle to prevent the French Army of Portugal under Marshal Massena relieving the fortress of Almeida on 3^rd to 5^th May 1811 in the Peninsular War:  John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcasts

Battle of Redinha or Pombal:

The indecisive battle fought on 12^th March 1811 in Western Central Portugal during Massena’s retreat from the Lines of Torres Vedras to the River Mondego, following the unsuccessful French attempt to capture Lisbon during the Peninsular War

19. Podcast of the Battle of Redinha or Pombal fought on 12^th March 1811 during the Peninsular War: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcast

18. Podcast of the Battle of Campo Maior: fought on 25^th March 1811 in the Peninsular War: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com Pod

Battle of Barossa (re-write):

General Graham’s notable victory, also known as the Battle of Chiclana, over the French during the march to Cadiz on 5^th March 1811 in the Peninsular War

17. Podcast of the Battle of Barossa: fought on 5^th March 1811 during the Peninsular War: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcast

15. Podcast of the Battle of Waterloo: the battle fought on 18^th June 1815 that ended the dominance of the French Emperor Napoleon over Europe and saw the end of an epoch.  John Mackenzie’s Britishbattles.com podcast.

Battle of Busaco (re-write):

Wellington’s highly successful holding battle fought on 27^th September 1810 in Western Portugal against Marshal Massena’s invading French army, as the British and Portuguese withdrew to Lisbon and the Lines of Torres Vedras, during the Peninsular War.

Podcast of the Battle of Busaco: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcast.

Battle of the River Coa:

The British Light Division’s fierce battle to escape from Marshal Ney’s French corps across the River Coa on 24^th July 1810 in the Peninsular War.

Podcast of the Battle of the River Coa: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcast.

12. Podcast of The Great Siege of Gibraltar, between 8^th July 1779 and 2^nd February 1783, whose defence under General Eliott so inspired Great Britain at a time of defeat in the American Revolutionary War: John Mackenzie’s Britishbattles.com podcast.

11. Podcast of Braddock’s Defeat Part 1: The account of General Braddock’s expedition to Fort Duquesne in 1755: The origins of General Braddock’s expedition: John Mackenzie’s britishbattles.com podcast

10. Podcast: Introduction to the American War of the Revolution, 1775–1783:

John Mackenzie’s Britishbattles.com podcast.

9. Podcast of the Battle of Talavera: The British victory south of Madrid on 28^th July 1809 over Joseph Bonaparte, the King imposed on Spain by Napoleon, and his French army in the Peninsular War: John Mackenzie’s Britishbattles.com podcast.

8. Podcast of the Battle of the Crossing of the Douro: The battle, also known as the Second Battle of Oporto, that saw Sir Arthur Wellesley’s (later the Duke of Wellington) successful passage of the River Douro at Oporto in Portugal, on 12^th May 1809 during the Peninsular War, forcing Marshal Soult’s French army into headlong and disastrous retreat to Spain: John Mackenzie’s Britishbattles.com podcast.

7. Podcast of the Battle of Corunna: The battle, also known as the Battle of Elviña, that ensured the escape of the British army from Spain on 16^thJanuary 1809, during the Peninsular War, with the death of Sir John Moore at the moment of success: John Mackenzie’s Britishbattles.com podcast.

6. Podcast of the Battle of Cacabelos: The battle fought at Cacabelos bridge on 3^rd January 1809 during Sir John Moore’s retreat to Corunna in the Peninsular War:John Mackenzie’s Britishbattles.com podcast.

5. Podcast of the Battle of Benavente: The second cavalry battle, fought on 29^th December 1808, establishing the early predominance of British cavalry over French in the Peninsular War: John Mackenzie’s Britishbattles.com podcast.

4. Podcast of the Battle of Sahagun: The dawn attack by the British 15^th Hussars, on 21^st December 1808 in the snow, that routed a French cavalry brigade and set the standard for British cavalry in the Peninsular War; ‘Success to the Fifteenth; and ‘God Save the King’: John Mackenzie’s Britishbattles.com podcast on the battle.

3. Podcast of the Battle of Vimeiro:  Sir Arthur Wellesley’s victory over the French army of Marshal Junot in Portugal on 21^st August 1808, his first major victory in the Peninsular War, which nearly ruined his military career: John Mackenzie’s Britishbattles.com podcast on the battle.

2. Podcast of the Battle of Roliça: The first battle fought by the British in the Peninsular War, on 17^th August 1808; also, the first of the string of victories over the French won by Sir Arthur Wellesley, later the Duke of Wellington: John Mackenzie’s Britishbattles.com podcast on the battle.

Battle of Talavera (an extensive re-write)

The British victory south of Madrid on 28^th July 1809 over Joseph Bonaparte, the King imposed on Spain by Napoleon, and his French army in the Peninsular War.

Battle of the Douro (a full re-write)

This battle, also known as the Second Battle of Oporto, saw Sir Arthur Wellesley’s (later the Duke of Wellington) successful Passage of the River Douro at Oporto in Portugal, on 12^th May 1809 during the Peninsular War, forcing Marshal Soult’s French army into headlong and disastrous retreat to Spain.

Battle of Corunna (a full re-write)

The battle, also known as the Battle of Elviña, that ensured the escape of the British army from Spain on 16^th January 1809, during the Peninsular War, with the death of Sir John Moore at the moment of success.

Battle of Cacabelos

The battle fought at Cacabelos bridge on 3^rd January 1809 during Sir John Moore’s retreat to Corunna in the Peninsular War.

Battle of Benavente

The second cavalry battle, fought on 29^th December 1808, establishing the early predominance of British cavalry over French in the Peninsular War.

Battle of Sahagun

The dawn attack by the British 15^th Hussars, on 21^st December 1808 in the snow, that routed a French cavalry brigade and set the standard for British cavalry in the Peninsular War; ‘Success to the Fifteenth; and ‘God Save the King’.

Battle of Vimeiro (a comprehensive re-write)

Sir Arthur Wellesley’s (later the Duke of Wellington) victory over the French army of Marshal Junot in Portugal on 21^st August 1808, in the opening stages of the Peninsular War; a battle that nearly  ruined Wellesley’s military career.

Battle of Roliça

The first battle fought by the British in the Peninsular War, on 17^th August 1808; also, the first of the string of victories over the French won by Sir Arthur Wellesley, later the Duke of Wellington.

Sortie from Bayonne

The terrible night-time clash outside Bayonne on 14^th April 1814, that marked the end of the Peninsular War, but occurred after the abdication of the Emperor Napoleon on 4^th April 1814.

Battle of Toulouse

The Battle fought by Wellington against Marshal Soult on 10^th April 1814 outside the French City of Toulouse in Southern France; the last battle fought by Wellington in the Peninsular War.

Battle of Tarbes

The Action fought by Wellington against Marshal Soult on 20^th March 1814 in Southern France; where the three Battalions of the 95^th Rifles distinguished themselves

Battle of Orthez:

 

The Battle fought on 2nd February 1814 in the south-west of France that saw Wellington push Marshal Soult’s Army of the Pyrenees back across the River Adour

Battle of St Pierre:

The Battle fought on the last day of the crossing of the River Nive by Wellington’s army, on 13^th December 1813; described as some of the fiercest fighting of the Peninsular War.

Storming of Seringapatam:

The Storming on 4^th May 1799 of Tipu Sultan’s palace fortress, leading to the death of Tipu Sultan, ruler of Mysore: A key battles in the conquest of South India by the British and one of the Duke of Wellington’s early actions.

Battle of the Nive:

The Battle fought between 9^th and 13^th December 1813; Wellington’s army crossing the River Nive and moving further into France; a battle with some of the fiercest fighting of the Peninsular War.

Battle of the Nivelle:

The Battle fought on 10^th November 1813, during the Peninsular War; Wellington’s army crossing the River Nivelle and moving from the Pyrenees Mountains into the plains of France.

Battle of the Bidassoa: 

The Battle fought on 7^th October 1813, during the Peninsular War, when Wellington’s army crossed the River Bidassoa into France.

Battle of San Marcial

The Battle fought on 31^st August and 1^st September 1813 along the French border, during the Peninsular War; with Spanish troops decisively repelling the French attack.

Battle of the Pyrenees

The Battle fought between 25^th July and 2^nd August 1813 in the western Pyrenees Mountains, during the Peninsular War; Wellington decisively repelling Marshal Soult’s incursion across the border, intended to re-establish French occupation of Spain

Storming of San Sebastian

The hard-fought struggle to capture San Sebastian, the small city port on the north-east coast of Spain near the French border, between 11^th July and 9^th September 1813 in the Peninsular War

The Retreat from Burgos

Wellington’s retreat to Ciudad Rodrigo following the unsuccessful Attack on Burgos in the autumn of 1812 in the Peninsular War

The Battle of Vitoria in the Peninsular (a comprehensive re-write)

Wellington’s decisive defeat of Joseph Bonaparte’s French army on 21^stJune 1813 in North-Eastern Spain in the Peninsular War

Battle of San Millan and Osma in the Peninsular War

The Battle of Morales de Toro fought in the Peninsular War:

The successful cavalry action fought by the British Hussar Brigade against the French 16^th and 21^st Dragoons on 1^st June 1813.

The Attack on the City of Burgos in the Peninsular War:

Wellington’s unsuccessful assault on the Spanish City of Burgos between 19^th September and 25^th October 1812, following the Battle of Salamanca.

The Battle of Magdala in the Abyssinian War:

Sir Robert Napier’s capture, on 13^th April 1868, of the Fortress of Magdala, stronghold of the Emperor Theodore III of Abyssinia.

The Battle of Salamanca in the Peninsular War:

A war recently chronicled on British Battles is the ‘Wars of the Roses’.

Wars of the Roses Index

First Battle of St Albans

Battle of Blore Heath

Battle of Northampton

Second Battle of St Albans

British Battles has published battles of the English Civil War:

The Battle of Edgehill is the first important battle.

We have on our site a long list of battles with descriptions of what took place and other essential information.  Most of our pages have a map of the battle designed and drafted by our own Military Cartographer,  John Fawkes

While our battles are primarily British battles there are many other battles of interest including all the important battles fought by Frederick the Great, King of Prussia in the Mid-18th Century.

All the battles are extensively illustrated with pictures both well-known and more obscure.  Prints of many of these pictures can be purchased through the site as can the maps.

Map of the Battle of Minden fought on 1st August 1759 by the Prussians, Hanoverians, Hessians and the British against the French; at which the British infantry made their famous advance against the French cavalry with roses in their hats, an episode celebrated every year by the “Minden Regiments”

Our most recent additions are:

• The British capture of Manila in 1762
• The North-West Frontier of India in the late 19th Century: Black Mountain 1888, Black Mountain 1891, Waziristan 1904, Siege and Relief of Chitral 1895, Malakand Rising 1897, Malakand Field Force 1897 (in which Winston Churchill fought) and the Mohmand Field Force 1897.
• Bannockburn 1314

• The battles of Frederick the Great:

First Silesian War: Mollwitz, Chotusitz

Second Silesian War:  Hohenfriedburg, Soor, Kesselsdorf,

Seven Years War:  Lobositz, Prague, Kolin, Rossbach, Leuthen, Zorndorf, Hochkirch, Kunersdorf, Liegnitz, Torgau and Burkersdorf).

Among the other battles and wars on the site are:

• Waterloo
  
  

  Battle of Waterloo 18th June 1815 : Order of Battle at the Outset of the Battle
  Map 1 of 3 by John Fawkes.