Britain's 320-Year Occupation of Spain

This Day in History

Over three centuries ago, Britain captured a piece of Spain’s territory that it still possesses to this day.

Photo byAuthor created image

During the time of kings and queens, Europe was playing a high-stakes game of musical chairs, but instead of chairs, it was entire countries. Land was seized by war or by claiming birthright, and when the "New World" was discovered, the game went global. In this time of shifting rivalries, alliances, and wars, there was a relentless quest for territory and power.

During the reign of Carlos II, Spain at the time controlled a vast overseas empire. Carlos “the bewitched,” as he was called, suffered from a series of intellectual and physical disabilities caused by centuries of inbreeding. Consequently, he was unable to have children. With no direct successor to the Spanish throne, he named Philip, his grandnephew, a Frenchman, his heir. When Carlos II died in 1700, a fear arose among the various European powers that a union between France and Spain would destabilize Europe.

As a result, various European powers, each with their own claim to the Spanish throne, formed an alliance against Spain. It was an attempt to pressure Philip into renouncing any claim his descendants would have on the French throne.

This conflict became known as the war of succession. The war raged on for over a decade, with battles fought from Flanders to Italy and, of course, Gibraltar. It was a conflict that shaped the European landscape and made Britain a dominant naval force for centuries to come.

It was during the War of the Spanish Succession that Britain captured Gibraltar. Gibraltar, or "the Rock," as it’s commonly known, is a strategic point at the entrance of the Mediterranean Sea. Controlling Gibraltar meant controlling the passage between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean, an important advantage for any naval power. The British, recognizing its significance, launched an assault on the heavily fortified port.

On August 4, 1704, a combined Anglo-Dutch fleet, under the command of Admiral Sir George Rooke, laid siege to Gibraltar. After a fierce bombardment and an assault that saw intense fighting, the Spanish garrison surrendered. The Union Jack was raised over the Rock, transforming Gibraltar's into a British colony. And thus, 300 years of the occupation of Spain by Britain began.

The Rock became a symbol of Britain’s influence and power in Europe. Over the next 300 years, Gibraltar would remain under British control, and a thorn in the side of Spain.

But why did Gibraltar matter so much? In a word: location. Situated at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, Gibraltar is a natural fortress. Its commanding views of the surrounding waters made it an ideal spot for controlling naval traffic. For Britain, having a foothold in this key location allowed them to monitor and influence Mediterranean trade routes, giving them a significant edge over their European rivals.

Fast forward to today, and Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory.