The Battle of Bailén took place in July 1808 during the Peninsular War, a conflict between the forces of Napoleonic France and the allied forces of Spain and Britain. This battle marked a significant victory for the Spanish army, led by General Francisco Javier Castaños, against the French troops commanded by General Pierre Dupont. The defeat of the French at Bailén was a turning point in the war, boosting Spanish morale and encouraging resistance against French occupation. It also prompted the French to reconsider their strategy in the Iberian Peninsula, leading to a series of military engagements throughout the conflict.