Anglo-French War (1627–1629) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Anglo-French War |
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| Part of the French Wars of Religion | |||||||
 Henri Motte's 1881 depiction of Cardinal de Richelieu at the siege of La Rochelle |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 England |
 France |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Buckingham David Kirke |
Richelieu Samuel de Champlain |
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The Anglo-French War (which means Guerre Franco-Anglaise in French) was a fight between the Kingdom of France and the Kingdom of England. It happened between 1627 and 1629. Most of the fighting took place at sea.
The main event of this war was the siege of La Rochelle. This was a long attack on the French city of La Rochelle from 1627 to 1628. England's King Charles I supported a group called the Huguenots. These were French Protestants who were fighting against the French King Louis XIII. La Rochelle was a strong city for the Huguenots. It was a major center for their ships and their resistance against the French government. The English also attacked France's new colony in North America. This led to them capturing Quebec.
Contents
Why the War Started
This war began after an alliance between England and France failed in 1624. England had hoped France would be an ally against the powerful House of Habsburg family. But things changed when Cardinal Richelieu became a powerful leader in France in 1624.
In 1625, Richelieu used English warships to defeat the Huguenots at a place called Ré island. This made many people in England very angry. Then, in 1626, France secretly made peace with Spain. Also, France started building a stronger navy. This made England believe they had to stop France.
In 1626, an English agent named Walter Montagu went to France. He secretly talked to French noblemen who were unhappy with the king. By March 1627, England began planning a rebellion in France. The idea was to send an English fleet to help start this rebellion. At the same time, a new Huguenot revolt was being planned by Henri, Duke of Rohan and his brother Soubise.
Key Battles and Events
The Île de Ré Expedition
King Charles I of England sent his close friend, the Duke of Buckingham, with a fleet of 80 ships. In June 1627, Buckingham landed on the nearby island of Île de Ré with 6,000 soldiers. His goal was to help the Huguenots.
Even though Île de Ré was a Protestant area, it had not directly joined the rebellion against the French king. The English, led by Buckingham, tried to capture the strong city of Saint-Martin-de-Ré. But after three months, they were forced back. Small French boats managed to bring supplies to Saint-Martin, even with the English ships blocking the area.
Buckingham's army eventually ran out of money and support. Many soldiers also became sick. After one last attack on Saint-Martin, they were defeated with many losses. They then left the island with their ships.
The La Rochelle Expedition
England tried to send two more fleets to help the city of La Rochelle. The first fleet left in April 1628. It was led by William Feilding, the Earl of Denbigh. But this fleet returned to Portsmouth without fighting. Denbigh said he was not allowed to risk the king's ships in a battle.
A second fleet was prepared by Buckingham just before he was killed. This fleet was sent out in August 1628. It was led by the Earl of Lindsey and had 29 warships and 31 merchant ships. In September 1628, the English fleet tried to help La Rochelle. They fired cannons at French positions and tried to break through a sea wall. But they failed and had to leave. After this last failure, the city of La Rochelle surrendered on October 28, 1628.
The New France Expedition
An English force led by David Kirke attacked New France in 1628. Their target was the French colony of Quebec, which was led by Samuel de Champlain. Kirke's force sailed up the Saint Lawrence River. They took control of Tadoussac and Cap Tourmente. Kirke then destroyed French settlements and blocked the Saint Lawrence River.
The English managed to capture a supply convoy that was heading to New France. This made it very hard for the colony to fight back. Winter forced the Kirke brothers to go back to England. When King Charles I heard about their success, he sent more ships for Kirke to return in the spring.
Champlain's people in Quebec were almost starving. He hoped a relief fleet would arrive. But this French fleet was stopped and captured by the English on their way upriver to Quebec. Kirke now knew how desperate Quebec was. He demanded that Champlain surrender. With no other choice, Champlain surrendered on July 19, 1629. The English then took over the colony, with Kirke as its new governor.
Peace Treaties
In April 1629, the Peace of Alès was signed. This treaty gave some rights to the defeated Huguenots. After this, Cardinal Richelieu wanted to end the fighting with England. He hoped to break the power of the Habsburg family around France.
So, England and France made peace with the Treaty of Susa. This treaty did not give either side any special benefits. It mostly meant things went back to how they were before the war.
Regarding New France, much of the fighting there happened after the Treaty of Susa was signed. In 1632, King Charles I agreed to give the lands back to France. In return, King Louis XIII agreed to pay money that was owed for Charles's wife's dowry (money or property a wife brings to a marriage). These terms were written into the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye. The lands in Quebec and Acadia were returned to the French Company of One Hundred Associates.
England also signed a peace treaty with Spain in 1630. England's decision to step back from European affairs disappointed Protestant groups on the continent. In England, arguments continued between the king and Parliament. This would later lead to the English Civil Wars in the 1640s. France, however, continued to grow stronger. Its navy became even bigger than England's by 1630.
See also
In Spanish: Guerra anglo-francesa (1627-1629) para niños
