Blackwell Reference Online

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, (20 December 1808–20 February 1809) After invading Spain in March 1808, the French had, in vain, laid siege to this important city, which was central to Spanish communications. However, the Spaniards had organized resistance (Baylen, 19 July) and aid had been received from Britain. On his arrival in Spain, Napoleon forced Sir John Moore's British army to retreat to Corunna before besieging Saragossa for a second time. After six weeks of repeated assaults, the French broke through the outer defences but they had to conquer the city house by house. For three weeks, the people put up desperate resistance despite famine, sickness and bombardment. The Siege of Saragossa has remained the symbol of popular armed resistance and of the horrors of a war fought beyond the observance of normal conventions. See also guerilla warfare ; indirect warfare ; napoleon ; popular warfare ; resistance ; sieges ; spain . , The Spanish Ulcer ( London , 1986 ); Alphonse Grasset, La Guerre d'Espagnt (2 vols, Paris, 1914–39) . ... log in or subscribe to read full text