Departing from the Portuguese town of Lagos with an army of about 30,000 men and 400 ships,[2] Afonso V arrived at the Moroccan coast on the afternoon of 22 August 1471.

The Portuguese King summoned his Council and decided to attack Asilah on the morning of the following day.

[3] The storm was so severe it prevented the ships from laying down a cannon bombardment, and only two pieces of heavy artillery were brought to shore.

After a troubled disembarkation that resulted in the death of more than 200 men caused by strong winds and waves, Afonso's army reached the shore and laid siege to the city of Asilah, conquering it after a hard battle on 24 of August, 1471.

Among the prisoners taken were two wives and a son of the Wattasid leader Mohammed ash-Shaykh, much of whose treasure also fell into portuguese hands [5] In the late 15th century, a set of four large tapestries was commissioned to commemorate the battle.