Battle of Vimeiro

The battle of Vimeiro happened in the Peninsular War on 21st August, 1808. It took place near Lourinhã, between the French troops of Junot and the Luso-British troops of Arthur Wellesley (future duke of Wellington).

After that they defeated the French power under the command of the general Delaborde in the battle of Roliça, on 19th August. The luso-british troops of (enclosure if 14.000 men), under the command of the general Arthur Wellesley came in the direction of Lisbon.

To that group more than 4.000 british troops gathered and disembarked in Porto Novo, in Maceira (Torres Vedras).

The French troops were near Torres Vedras (12000 men, under the command of General Junot). A new fight, in Vimeiro on 21st of August took place.
The battle of Vimeiro opened the way to the negotiations written in Sintra Convention. That was the reason why the French left the Iberian Peninsula.

Portuguese reaction to the French invasion

Junot and his weak army arrived in Lisbon on November 30th, 1807.
At that time several events in the Portuguese Government happened to cause a great protest and dissatisfaction among the people. This situation was also originated by the French decisions in what concerns the military reinforcement with food and Portuguese soldiers.
The requisition of silver and gold objects of our region’s churches and monasteries had an uncalculated harm. The stolen objects were never refunded.
Some revolts were repressed with so much violence, that the population’s hate for the French people grew up.
Although, in any regions of North of the country were registered revolts and were formed a Provisory Govern. The way was opened to the English coming (our allied).

The Arrival of the French troops in Vimeiro

After the confrontations in Roliça, Wellesley continued his way to South, near the coast in the direction the Lourinhã. He was very happy because he had known that some English naval troops were to be found in Peniche. There were two brigades commanded by the Generals Acland and Anstruther with 1300 and 2700 men respectively. They would reinforce the English army. Then Wellesley placed his troops in Vimeiro, while the brigades prepared to disembark in Porto Novo.