French Wars of Religion

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.

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.

Catholic victory on 13 March 1569 at Jarnac (Charente): Henry of Anjou surprised Condé's and Coligny's Protestants by crossing the Charente. Condé's death, more than the battle itself, weakened the Huguenots, but Coligny saved most troops to continue the third War of Religion.

On 3 October 1569 at Moncontour (Vienne), the Catholic forces of King Charles IX, supported by Spanish troops under Pierre-Ernest de Mansfeld, inflicted a heavy defeat on Admiral Coligny's Huguenots. Despite this victory, the religious conflict continued until the Peace of Saint-Germain-en-Laye in 1570.

Protestant troops led by Henry of Navarre win a brilliant victory through a surprise cavalry charge that completely disorganizes Catholic forces.

From 15 to 29 September 1589, at Arques-la-Bataille, Henri IV (~8,000 men) successfully defended against Charles de Mayenne (~35,000 Leaguers). Relief came from English and Scottish reinforcements landed from 23 September, and from 500 arquebusiers under François de Coligny who tipped the balance of the engagement.

Henry IV wins an important victory against the Catholic League, consolidating his power in the Paris region.

On 14 March 1590 at Ivry-la-Bataille (Eure), Henry IV won a decisive victory over the Catholic League army of the Duke of Mayenne. With about 11,000 men against 16,000 Leaguers, the Protestant king repelled reiter and lancer charges, spoke the famous words 'Rally to my white plume,' and routed an army threatening to lift the Siege of Paris.

Henry IV inflicts a defeat on League forces at Aumale, strengthening his control in Normandy and weakening the Leaguers.

On 5 June 1595, at Fontaine-Française, Henri IV with around 3,000 men faced the Spanish army of Juan Fernández de Velasco and Mayenne's Leaguers; his decisive cavalry charges scattered the enemy, who, believing a full royal army was present, recrossed the Saône the next day.

Fourteen-month siege (September 1627 – October 1628) of La Rochelle by Richelieu's royal forces, combining naval blockade, a 1,500 m dyke and starvation of the population. Despite three English expeditions, the Protestant city surrendered with 5,400 surviving inhabitants, marking the end of organised Huguenot resistance.