3-088-701 - LTL/Heritage Images

The War of the Oranges, (May-July 1801), 1851. "The Oranges of Elvas". Spain and France were allied against Great Britain by the Treaty of San Ildefonso. Portugal allowed British ships to use Portuguese ports. Napoleon, in war against the British, forced Charles IV to declare war on Portugal. Badajoz became the headquarters of a military contingent under the command of the Spanish Prime Minister Godoy. This army entered Portugal, conquering the city of Olivenza and part of the Alentejo, which forced the Portuguese soldiers to take refuge in the forts of Elvas (Yelves) and Campomayor. During the capture of Elvas (Yelves), the Spanish soldiers cut bouquets of oranges from its gardens and presented them to Godoy as a prize for the victory. Godoy offered them to Queen Maria Luisa. From "Historia del Levantamiento, guerra y revolución de España by the Conde de Toreno", Madrid, 1851.