Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo (1810)

Ciudad Rodrigo controlled an important route between Portugal and Spain. In 1810 French forces under Marshal Ney and Marshal Masséna moved against the fortress as part of preparations for the invasion of Portugal.

The Spanish garrison resisted bombardment and assault but surrendered after the walls were breached. The fall of the fortress opened the route towards Almeida and the Lines of Torres Vedras, while demonstrating the strategic importance of fortified towns in the Peninsular War.

All in Scarlet Uniform uses the siege to place British officers and Spanish troops inside a desperate defensive setting. It suits fiction about training allies, divided command, artillery, breaches, honour and the limited choices left to garrisons when relief cannot arrive.