Siege of 1711
- The hardest episode of the War of Succession in Cardona took place in the autumn of the siege of 1711 where two armies, the Austrians (Charles of Austria) and the Bourbons (“Felip” of Bourbon), were confronted by the succession of King Charles II of Castile and Aragon, who had died without descendants. The stronghold of Cardona Castle, under the command of Manuel Desvalls and Vergós, who was in favor of “Carles” of Austria, survived the Bourbon attack. The canonical “Sant Vicenç” church served as a hospital.
Capitulation of 18th september of 1714
- On 31st January 1714, Manel Desvalls sent Barcelona a request for reinforcements and food supplies so as to survive the siege. There was not enough money as salt was not selling well. Even the Desvalls brothers were in debt.
- This critical situation lasted until 11th September, when the troops under Marshal Berwick stormed Barcelona, and this latter stopped resisting. This capitulation led to the surrender of the Castle of Cardona as a condition for not sacking the city of Barcelona. On 15th September, Antoni Desvalls and his men entered Cardona. On the next day the Count of Montemar, sent by Marshal Berwick, travelled to settle the capitulation of the castle, which was finally signed on 18th September.
- The 18 de Setembre cultural association of Cardona commemorates these historical events of 18th September yearly by means of historical re-enactments in the Sant Vicenç Church.
- “L’associació cultural 18 de setembre de Cardona” each year commemorates the historic events of 18 September 1714 with the historical reenactment in the canonical of “Sant Vicenç” of Cardona.
Literary references
- The book Bandera Negra, by the Cardona-born author JordiSantasusagna, is narrated at the height of the War of Succession. In the book, the canonical church of Cardona has a key role as a hospital.
Synopsis
- The Bourbon army has reached Barcelona. The people of Cardona have to flee before the arrival of the Bourbons. We know about two families, the Fabregas and the Llobets. They leave behind a part of their very soul, a cross, an ill-fated love, two armies and a black flag. The townspeople will have to continue living in the castle until everything is over.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YV2epBLECxY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0JPVX7b3IM