The Battle of Medina de Rioseco 14th July 1808: Marshal Bessières’ great victory

The battle of Medina de Rioseco was the first great clash between the Spanish and French Imperial troops in 1808. Although it ended in defeat for the Spaniards, and it opened up the road to Madrid for Joseph Napoleon, it was an important clash of arms that showcased what the conflict in the Iberian Peninsula was going to be like. Spanish forces made up of hastily trained civilians with a sprinkling of professional soldiers, led by rapidly promoted soldiers who had to learn to lead on the march, met in battle Napoleon’s veterans, and although they were usually bested by the French, the survivors of the fight regrouped a few days later and were ready for another go at the French. Napoleon had never faced such behaviour from his opponents in all his campaigns, a defeated army usually disintegrated and soldiers fled home, but in Spain, its soldiers ran, then gathered a few miles or days later, regrouped and was ready to fight again, refusing to disappear.The city of Medina de Rioseco and its inhabitants, as well as all those patriotic Spaniards that rallied to the call of their leaders, suffered greatly from this defeat, but they fought with tenacity and honour, and it was only bad leadership and ill luck that sealed their fate that day. Read more