Following the city's capture by Peterborough, the Bourbons launched a concerted attempt to recapture it the following year during the 1706 siege of Barcelona, which failed.

Following the outbreak of the war, Catalonia had been regarded as a base of support by the Allies in their campaign to put Archduke Charles on the Spanish throne in opposition to the rival French candidate Philip V. Barcelona was recommended as a potential target by the region's former Governor Prince George of Hesse-Darmstadt.

[6] Although the commanders of the expedition had orders that allowed them to choose between several different destinations including Cadiz and the major French naval base at Toulon, it was decided to attempt Barcelona again.

[8] The city's defences had recently been repaired and strengthened and measures taken to make sure there was no rising by the Catalans in support of the Allies.

However in councils of war he was opposed by Admiral Shovell representing the navy as well as many the Generals under his command who favoured an assault.

In September Peterbrorough agreed to launch an attack, and to aid secrecy made a pretence that his Army was abandoning the siege and marching away towards Tarragona to the south.

[15] The attack met with heavier resistance than anticipated, and Prince George was struck by a musket ball in the thigh.