Battle of Arques facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Arques
Part of the French War of Religion (1587–1594) and the Anglo–Spanish War
Henri IV at Arques
Date 15–29 September 1589 Location Arques-la-Bataille (Seine-Maritime), France 49°52′55″N 1°07′37″E / 49.882°N 1.127°E / 49.882; 1.127 Result Anglo-French victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of France  England	Catholic League  Spain
Commanders and leaders
Henry IV of France Roger Williams	Duke of Mayenne
Strength
8,000 French, 5,250 English	35,000
Casualties and losses
Heavy	Heavy

The Battle of Arques was an important fight that happened between September 15 and 29, 1589. It was part of the French Wars of Religion, which were a series of conflicts in France. This battle was fought between the French royal army, led by King Henry IV of France, and the Catholic League troops, led by the Duke of Mayenne. King Henry IV won this battle.

Why the Battle of Arques Happened

Henry IV Becomes King

After King Henry III of France died, Huguenot Henry of Navarre was next in line for the French throne. He became King Henry IV of France. Even though he was a Huguenot (a French Protestant), he quickly promised to protect the Catholic religion in France.

However, many major French cities and the powerful Catholic League did not accept him as king. They supported the Duke of Mayenne, who was the younger brother of a very important Catholic leader who had recently died.

Henry IV's Small Army

At this time, the royal army was not very strong. King Henry IV had only about 20,000 soldiers to take control of a country that was rebelling against him. To do this, he split his army into three groups.

One group went to Picardy, another to Champagne. King Henry IV himself led the third group to Normandy. He went to Normandy because he was waiting for more soldiers to arrive from Queen Elizabeth I of England.

Mayenne's Plan to Attack

On August 6, 1589, King Henry IV set up his camp with 8,000 men at the port city of Dieppe. The Duke of Mayenne wanted to take this important port city from Henry's forces. He also wanted to push Henry out of Normandy completely.

So, Mayenne gathered a very large army of 35,000 soldiers. This army included local militias, troops from Lorraine, and even some Spanish soldiers. They planned to attack Dieppe and defeat King Henry IV.

The Battle of Arques

The ruins of the château of Arques today.

Between September 15 and 29, 1589, the Catholic League's soldiers launched many attacks. They attacked Arques and the areas around it. However, King Henry IV's royal army used their cannons very well. The royal artillery stopped the Duke of Mayenne's forces.

The fighting was very fierce and many soldiers on both sides were killed. Soon, King Henry IV's army found itself with too few soldiers. They were greatly outnumbered by the Catholic League.

English Help Arrives

King Henry IV's help came from the sea on September 23. About 4,000 English soldiers arrived. These soldiers were led by Roger Williams. Queen Elizabeth I had sent them from England in several groups over three days.

When the Duke of Mayenne saw these new English soldiers arrive, he knew he could not win. He decided to pull his troops back and retreat. This meant King Henry IV was victorious at the Battle of Arques.

After the battle, King Henry IV rested for a short time in a nearby castle. Before he left, he used a diamond to scratch a message on one of the windows. It said: "God keep my love from harm. This 22nd of September 1589. - HENRY."

See also

• List of French wars and battles