Battle of Saint-Denis

Catholic troops besiege Paris and confront the Protestant army in a fierce battle. Catholic victory is achieved despite the death of Constable Montmorency, temporarily strengthening royal control.

The battle occurred at the start of the Second War of Religion, after the failure of the Surprise of Meaux on 28 September 1567: Condé and Coligny's Protestants, reinforced by German mercenaries, invested Saint-Denis and pillaged the basilica.

Montmorency engaged on the plain between Montmartre and Aubervilliers: the Paris militia was broken by entrenched arquebusiers and a cavalry charge, but Strozzi's intact right wing pivoted left and drove the Protestants back beyond Saint-Denis.

A costly Catholic victory: Constable Anne de Montmorency died of his wounds two days later; both armies were reinforced (9,500 Palatine mercenaries on the Protestant side) before costly troop disbandment and the Peace of Longjumeau in March 1568.