Battle of Dreux

The battle pits two French armies divided by religious civil war. After several hours of fierce combat, the Catholics win a tactical victory but lose their leader, Constable Montmorency.

First of eight civil wars between Catholics and Protestants that ravaged France for much of the 16th century. After the Massacre of Wassy (March 1562), Condé and Coligny raised an army of ~13,000 men (including Landsknechts and reiters) against ~18,000 royal Catholics commanded by the triumvirate Montmorency, Guise, and Saint-André.

Combat on open ground with heavy cavalry, infantry clashes and artillery, disorganized charges and hand-to-hand fighting. Four successive charges on the plain between Marville and Montmousset: Montmorency was captured in the first, the Swiss held, Guise won the third and Condé was taken prisoner.

Partial Catholic victory, but the conflict continued as a long, deadly war. Montmorency's death weakened Catholic command. More than 8,000 dead on the battlefield; Condé was captured, Coligny ordered retreat; the royal army besieged Orléans.