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Rare battle plan and map, detailing a battle between the Spanish & French forces in June 1663 at the Battle of Ameixial (also known as the Battle of Estremoz), where the Portugese were led by Antonio Luis de Menses, the Marquis de Marialva, and Frederick Hermann von Schonberg, Duke of Schomberg (or Schonberg).

The map at the top of the sheet shows path of the Spanish retreat from Evora to Badajos (Badazos) in June 1663, under the pursuit of the Portugese army, led by the Duke of Schomberg, including the Battle of Ameixal, northwest of Estremoz. The battle view depicts the Battle of Ameixal.

The Duke of Schomberg (1615-1690) lost both parents before his first birthday and after the death of his godfather (the Elector Frederick, who was killed in Prague in October 1620), was destined to a life of military service. After receiving an education in France, Schomberg spent the first 25+ years of his soldier's life fighting for the French against the Spanish. Following the Peace of the Pyrenees in 1659, Schomberg entered the service of Portugal, which was then trying to gain its independence from Spain, during the Portugese Restoration War (1640-1668).

At the time of Schomberg's arrival in Lisbon, the Spanish forces were being led by John of Austria, the illegitimate son of King Philip IV of Spain. Over the next several years, the forces skirmished periodically, with Schomberg growing increasingly disillusioned with his support. However, when the leadership of the Portugese changed in early 1663, Schomberg renewed his commitment to the Portugese cause, which would culminate in the Treaty of Lisbon in1668, which resulted in Portugal's independence.

The battle depicted here was fought outside of Estremos (top left of the battlefield view). The view shows the forces under Schomberg at the top of the battlefield, with the Spanish forces below. The town of Evora is shown at the top right of the battlefield, with John of Austria shown at the bottom right.

In 1663, the Spanish Monarchy decided to send an expedition of 21 000 men to take back control of Portugal and the city of Lisboa. The expedition successfully captured the fortress of Evora (top right of battle scene) on May 22, 1663, but the expedition ultimately was unsuccessful due to a lack of ammunition, food and money. The Portuguese raised an army of 16 000 men and marched against the Spanish. The Spanish commander decided to wait for the Portugese army at a point northwest of Evora, near Estremos. On June 8, 1663, the Portugese attacked and defeated the Spanish forces, which retreated to Badazos in Extremadura. Later in the month, the new Spanish garrison of Evora surrendeded to the Portugese, ending the Spanish expedition of 1663.

The battle was one of the major victories of the war and was followed by important victories in Montes Claros (June 1665) and Vila . Over the course of the next 5 years, the Spanish gave up their efforts to take back control of Portugal, culminating oin the a lasting independence.

The view is almost certainly published in Portugal and depicts this key battle in the Portugese War for We were able to locate only a single example of the view, in poor condition, in the Biblioteca National of Portugal, which was undated: purl.pt/11710/2/