Junot at Abrantes – Portugal’s Last Attempt at Negotiation (November 1807)

Upon reaching Abrantes on November 23, 1807, General Jean-Andoche Junot was met by an emissary from the Prince Regent João of Braganza, who was desperately attempting to avoid a full-scale French occupation.

Portugal’s Offer of Submission

• The Prince Regent’s representative offered to submit to French demands, agreeing to several degrading terms.
• By this point, Portugal was defenseless, with its military in disarray and its rulers preparing to flee.
• Despite this attempt at appeasement, Junot continued his advance, knowing that Napoleon expected complete occupation, not mere submission.

Junot’s Final Push to Lisbon

• Understanding that his army was severely weakened, Junot reorganized his remaining forces.
• He formed four battalions from his best remaining men, leaving the stragglers and exhausted troops behind.
• With Lisbon still 75 miles (121 km) away, Junot pressed forward, determined to seize the Portuguese capital before British forces could intervene.

A Decisive Moment in the French Invasion

Junot’s advance on Lisbon marked the final stage of the French invasion of Portugal. Though his army was in tatters, the Portuguese government’s failure to mount resistance ensured that Lisbon would soon fall—leading to the first French occupation of Portugal and the flight of the Portuguese royal family to Brazil.