The Crusade of Tedelis was a major conflict within the overarching struggle between the Crown of Aragon and the Kingdom of Tlemcen in the late 14th century.
Background In 1397, as a result of the Sack of Torreblanca,Martínez Romero, Tomàs. La cultura catalana en projecció de futur: homenatge a Josep Massot i Muntaner. Universitat Jaume I, 2004, p.219. . in which Tlemceni pirates captured the consecrated host Insa Montava, Josep. La Costa Daurada arran de mar. Cossetània Edicions, 2006, p. 90. . and 108 prisoners,Sanchis, Antonio. Historia del Grau. Carena Editors, 2005, p. 45. . King Martin of Aragon ordered a retaliatory attack on Dellys also known as Tedelis,Ximeno, Vicente. Escritores del reyno de Valencia, chronologicamente ordenados desde el año M.CC.XXXVIII hasta el de M.DCC.XLVII. Joseph Estevan Dolz, 1747, p.129. chartering a fleet led by Joan GascóJornades sobre el Cisma d'Occident a Catalunya, les Illes i el País Valencià. Institut d'Estudis Catalans, 1986, p. 67. . and an army led by Jaume de Pertusa.Ximeno, Vicente. La Costa Daurada arran de mar. Cossetània Edicions, 2006, p.88. .
Crusade The fleet gathered in Ibiza, amassing a total force of 70 ships and 7,500 crusaders. The fleet set sail in August 1398, and successfully reached Dellys, which was sacked, killing around 1,000 villagers.
After attacking the North African Coast, the expedition then headed towards Avignon to try to relieve Pope Benedict XIII from a siege led by Geoffrey Boucicaut who was opposed to the Avignon Pope.Waugh, William Templeton. A History of Europe From 1378 to 1494. Methuen & co, 1932, p. 138. However, the fleet could not cross the Rhône due to low water levels and directly provide aid, though they did manage to grant a three-month truce for the besieged.
Aftermath King Martin managed to negotiate the release of the captured Aragonese in exchange for releasing 300 Tlmeceni prisoners captured during the raid on Tedelis. The following year, Martin ordered a repeat of the campaign, this time, directed at Bona.
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