Battle of Acentejo

Timeline

1. 1494La Matanza de Acentejo (Acentejo ravine) · TenerifeWhen Lugo led some 1,120 Castilian troops into the Acentejo ravine they were ambushed by the Guanches; Bencomo and Tinguaro directed some 3,300 warriors attacking with stones and hardwood spears from the slopes, and the Spanish cavalry could not maneuver. About eight-tenths of the invading force was killed, and Lugo, wounded, retreated to Gran Canaria.
2. c. 1495Northern Tenerife · TenerifeAfter the first disastrous defeat, Lugo obtained funding from Genoese merchants and the Duke of Medina-Sidonia and landed again on Tenerife in November 1495; the Spanish had won the earlier Battle of La Laguna plain in November, where Bencomo was killed and Guanche resistance was greatly weakened.
3. 1495La Victoria de Acentejo · TenerifeNear the Taoro valley Lugo again fought the Guanche forces for about three hours, and the advantage of firearms and cavalry finally prevailed; Bencomo's son Bentor led the remnants in retreat. The Spanish built a chapel of Our Lady of Victory on the site, which later developed into the town of La Victoria de Acentejo; the battle is regarded as the decisive turning point of the conquest of Tenerife.