On 27 April 1521 the warriors of Lapulapu, a chief of Mactan off Cebu, routed a landing party of about 49 armored Europeans and killed Ferdinand Magellan. The survivors fled to their boats, and the leaderless expedition soon left Cebu.
The landing on Mactan
Magellan had come to the Philippines with a Spanish expedition and had made an alliance with the ruler of Cebu. When Lapulapu refused to submit, Magellan landed on Mactan with his men to force the submission.1
The attack went badly from the first moment. Magellan was killed, and the expedition's leadership collapsed. Our article on the Battle of Mactan covers the landing and the aftermath. › Battle of Mactan, 1521
Also on this day
1522: Battle of Bicocca. At La Bicocca north of Milan, a French and Venetian army with Swiss mercenaries attacked an entrenched Imperial, Spanish and Papal army under Prospero Colonna.
Frequently asked questions
When and where was the Battle of Mactan?
It was fought on 27 April 1521 on Mactan, an island off Cebu in the central Philippines.
Who won the Battle of Mactan?
The warriors of Lapulapu, a chief of Mactan. They routed a small Spanish landing party and killed its commander, Ferdinand Magellan.
How many died at Mactan?
According to the eyewitness Pigafetta, Magellan, eight other Europeans and four allied islanders died. Other accounts give slightly different numbers.
Notes
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