[3] Yusuf III, Sultan of Granada, reacted quickly to news of the Moroccan action, bringing up troops and conducting a short siege after which he regained control.

[5] The Moors used Gibraltar as a secure base from which they raided the surrounding country, where Enrique de Guzman owned large estates.

[7] In 1436 Enrique de Guzman managed to organize a strong force of knights from Córdoba, Écija and Xeres with boats, provisions and soldiers.

They had obtained supplies and additional troops from Grenada and Morocco, and had greatly strengthened the fortifications in the Red Sands area.

The Count did not realize the state of preparedness of the Moors, and personally directed the boat party that attacked the Red Sands.

Juan de Guzman had found that the castle could not be taken from the north, and was preparing to take his men to help his father when he heard of the disaster.