Battle of Gravelines (1558)

Battle of Gravelines
Part of the Italian War of 1551–1559
The Siege of Gravelines by Pieter Snayers. Oil on canvas. Museo del Prado, Madrid.
Date July 13, 1559 Location Gravelines, France Result Spanish victory
Belligerents
France	Spain English Navy
Commanders and leaders
Paul de Thermes	Count of Egmont
Strength
12,000 infantry 2,000 cavalry	15,000 infantry 3,000 cavalry
Casualties and losses
12,500 dead, wounded, or captured[citation needed]	300 dead or wounded[citation needed]

The Battle of Gravelines was fought on July 13, 1558 at Gravelines, near Calais, France. It occurred during the 1547–1559 war between France and Spain.

The battle resulted in a victory by the Spanish forces, led by Lamoral, Count of Egmont over the French under Marshal Paul de Thermes. The Spanish were supported by the English Navy, who opened fire on the French as they reached the sand dunes at Gravelines.

After the brilliant performance of Emmanuel Philibert of Savoy at the Battle of San Quentin, Henry II of France prepared his revenge. He recruited a new army in Picardy, who put in the hands of Louis Gonzaga, Duke of Nevers, asked the Ottoman Sultan naval support and encouraged the Scots to invade England from the north. The Duke of Guise seized the port of Calais to the English and moved to the city of Thionville (border of Flanders and France), a city that took the June 22, 1558. M. de Termes invaded another army, consisting of 12,000 infantry, 2000 cavalry and artillery many, Flanders, after crossing the river Aa from its mouth, conquered Dunkirk and Nieuwpoort, threatening Brussels. Back to Calais for their great offensive, it is reported that a Spanish army was to intercept him in the river Aa.

Development of the battle

In turn, the Duke of Savoy and Philip met an army of 15,000 infantry and 3000 cavalry, giving the command to the Earl of Egmont. This was made in Gravelinas the July 13, 1558. Surprised by the speed of the maneuver Spanish, Termes had to do battle (because he had the river behind him, the sea on your left and right completely jumbled by the column of baggage of his own army). Deployed his army on the left bank of the river, creating background on the flank of a double line formed by the cavalry and artillery, leaving the infantry behind. Their plight, however, did not prevent the French believe that the victory would be easy.

The Earl of Egmont, meanwhile, had left behind and artillery that were hindered because the French intercept before cruzasen the River Aa. Sighted the French positions, Egmont placed his troops in a crescent, leaving the light cavalry on the flanks and in the center of Spanish troops, together with units of German and Flemish.

The French shelled and establishing a messy battle between the two horses of doubtful result. Once again revealed the ability of Spanish arquebusiers, who was then the better armed and trained the continent. The arquebuses peppered the French cavalry, then the Spanish take the double row of baggage and shoot infantry sheltered behind the car, creating great confusion among the French ranks. Egmont, decides to attack with his cavalry on the French center, the Count of Egmont was at the head of his horsemen. In turn, Biscay and English ships bombarded the French rear, causing numerous casualties. The outcome of the battle could not have been worse for the French: only 1500 men had managed to flee, the rest lay dead or imprisoned in the field of battle, the lord of Thermes, was taken prisoner. The French were forced to retreat to its borders.

After this new defeat, which was added to San Quentin, Henry II of France was forced to make peace with Philip II in the so-called Peace of Cateau-Cambresis in 1559. It was precisely because of that treaty which Felipe II married Isabella of Valois, daughter of Henry, while Emmanuel Philibert did the same with Margaret of Valois, sister and daughter of King Francis I of France.