The Battle of Almanza (April 25, 1707) and the Nueva Planta Decrees

The Battle of Almanza (April 25, 1707) was a decisive Bourbon victory in the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–1714). The defeat of the Allied army (England, Portugal, and the Dutch Republic) by the French-Spanish Bourbon forces secured Philip V’s control over Spain and led to the first of the Nueva Planta decrees, which centralized Spain under Castilian rule.

The Battle of Almanza (1707): A Pivotal Moment in the War

• The battle was fought in Almanza, eastern Spain, between:
  • The Allied army, composed of English, Portuguese, Dutch, and Austrian troops.
  • The Bourbon army, led by James FitzJames, Duke of Berwick, an illegitimate son of James II of England serving France and Spain.
• The Bourbons decisively defeated the Allies, ensuring:
  • The permanent control of Philip V over Aragon and Valencia.
  • The decline of Habsburg and Allied influence in Spain.

The Nueva Planta Decrees (1707–1716): Centralization Under Castile

• Following the Bourbon victory at Almanza, Philip V issued the first Nueva Planta decree, which:
  • Abolished the fueros (regional privileges) of the Kingdoms of Valencia and Aragon.
  • Brought these regions under Castilian law, eliminating their traditional autonomy.
  • Ended the Aragonese institutions, integrating them into a centralized Spanish state under Bourbon rule.
• Later Nueva Planta decrees (1714) extended these policies to Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, completing Philip V’s centralization of Spain.

Consequences of Almanza and the Nueva Planta Reforms

✔ Philip V secured control over Spain, solidifying Bourbon rule.
✔ The Crown of Aragon lost its autonomy, marking a shift toward a centralized Spanish monarchy.
✔ Castilian law and administration became dominant, reshaping Spain’s governance.
✔ Portugal and Britain lost influence in the war, while France and Spain strengthened their alliance.

Conclusion: The War’s Turning Point and the Rise of Bourbon Spain

The Battle of Almanza (1707) cemented Bourbon control over Spain, while the Nueva Planta decrees marked the end of regional autonomy, making Castile the political center of the Spanish monarchy. These events reshaped Spanish governance and reinforced the authority of Philip V, setting the foundation for Bourbon rule in Spain well into the 18th century.