Battle of the Alcaides

The Battle of the Alcaides, fought in 1514, was a significant military engagement between the forces of the kings of Fez and Mequinez and the Portuguese defenders, along with their local allies, near the city of Azemmour in the town of Boulaouane.

Background
During the early 16th century, North Africa was a theater of conflict as various regional powers vied for control and influence. Azemmour, strategically situated along the coast, attracted the attention of the kings of Fez and Mequinez, who sought to expand their dominion in the region.

Preparation
Anticipating the imminent threat, Portuguese leaders in Azemmour and Safim, including João de Meneses, Martim Afonso de Melo Coutinho, and Nuno Fernandes de Ataíde, coordinated their efforts to defend against the impending assault. They gathered their forces and sought support from local allies to bolster their defenses.

The Battle
When the kings of Fez and Mequinez dispatched their alcaides with a substantial force of cavalry and infantry to lay siege to Azamor, the Portuguese and their allies launched a preemptive strike. Despite being outnumbered, they fought valiantly, engaging the enemy alcaides in fierce combat.

Outcome
The Battle of the Alcaides culminated in victory for the Portuguese and their allies. The enemy alcaides were routed, with one killed in action and the other forced to retreat. This triumph bolstered Portuguese control over Azemmour and thwarted the ambitions of Fez and Mequinez in the region.

Legacy
The Portuguese tightened their siege on Marrakesh and the kingdom of Fez. The 16 months that followed the battle of the Alcaides correspond to the period in which Portuguese expansion reached its peak in North Africa and territorial conquest was imminent. Decisive for the victory was the introduction of bodies of Ordenanças, which supported the traditional contingents of royal and seigneurial troops and "peace moors".