THE PENINSULAR WAR The Spanish Perspective

The Peninsular War has long been a focus of British historical scholarship, yet the Spanish contribution—fundamental to the eventual defeat of Napoleon’s armies—has often been marginalised. This volume, written by a Spanish historian and translated into English for the first time, seeks to redress that imbalance. It does not minimise the Spanish Army’s setbacks or catastrophic defeats, but examines them from a Spanish perspective, providing insight into the political, logistical, and military challenges faced when rebuilding national forces virtually from scratch.
With the finest Spanish troops serving with the French in Denmark, Spain was initially poorly defended. Yet its citizens and newly raised armies resisted fiercely. The book explores both major engagements, such as Tudela, Ocaña, Bailén, and the siege of Zaragoza, and lesser-known combats across the Peninsula. The resilience of the Spanish people—through urban defence, guerrilla actions, and persistent resistance—posed unprecedented challenges for Napoleon’s marshals, establishing the term “guerrilla warfare” in the process.
As the war progressed, Spanish forces grew capable of decisive victories, complementing the achievements of Sir Arthur Wellesley and his Anglo-Portuguese army. By presenting the Spanish viewpoint, this volume dismantles enduring myths and illuminates the indomitable spirit of a nation that never accepted the Napoleonic order. It offers British readers a long-overdue reassessment of Spain’s pivotal role in the Peninsular War, providing a more nuanced understanding of the conflict.