The allied fleet, after the fall of Barcelona, seized Alicante and Cartagena.
So far success had gone; but the inclinations of the Spanish people had been mistaken, and the strength of their purpose and pride, supported by the natural features of their country, was not yet understood.

The national hatred to the Portuguese was aroused, as well as the religious dislike to heretics, the English general himself being a Huguenot refugee.

Madrid and the surrounding country were disaffected, and the south sent the Bourbon king assurance of its fidelity.

The allies were not able to remain in the hostile capital, particularly as the region around was empty of supplies and full of guerillas.

They retired to the eastward, drawing toward the Austrian claimant in Aragon.