The battle unfolded near the region of Achaea, where the Principality, a significant Frankish lordship in the Peloponnese, had become a focal point in the power struggles of European nobility. In 1316, the Burgundian claimants, led by influential figures seeking to extend their territory, confronted the Majorcan faction, which was similarly driven by ambitions in southern Greece. The two sides amassed armies, drawing not only local warriors but also mercenaries, showcasing the era's reliance on hired forces.

The clash at Manolada was marked by both tactical maneuvers and fierce combat. The terrain, characterized by its varied landscape, played a crucial role in the strategies employed by both claimants. As the battle progressed, it highlighted the feudal ties and rivalries that dominated European politics, where claims to land were often settled on the battlefield rather than through diplomatic means.

In the aftermath of the confrontation, the victor would establish a stronger claim over Achaea, reshaping the regional dynamics and influencing subsequent engagements in the area. The event underscored the fragility of alliances, as well as the volatile nature of territorial disputes during a time when noble families were vying fervently for dominance across the fragmented political landscape of the late medieval period.