Battle of Gravelines (1558) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Gravelines
Part of the Italian War of 1551–1559
The Battle of Gravelines
Date 13 July 1558 Location Gravelines, France Result Spanish victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of France	Kingdom of Spain Kingdom of England
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	300 dead or wounded

The Battle of Gravelines was a big fight that happened on July 13, 1558. It took place near a town called Gravelines in France. This battle was part of a long war between France and Spain that lasted for twelve years (from 1547 to 1559).

In this battle, the Spanish army won. They were led by a commander named Lamoral, Count of Egmont. The French army, led by Marshal Paul de Thermes, lost. The Spanish also got help from the English Navy. English ships fired cannons at the French soldiers when they reached the sand dunes near Gravelines.

Why the Battle Happened

After the Spanish won a major battle called the Battle of St. Quentin (1557), the French King, Henry II of France, wanted revenge. He gathered a new army in a region called Picardy. He put this army under the command of Louis Gonzaga, Duke of Nevers.

King Henry II also asked the Ottoman Sultan for help with ships. He also encouraged the Scots to attack England from the north. Meanwhile, a French leader named Francis, Duke of Guise, captured the port of Calais from the English. Then, he tried to take the city of Thionville in Luxembourg.

Another French army, led by Marshal de Thermes, invaded the area. This army had about 12,000 foot soldiers (called infantry) and 2,000 horse soldiers (called cavalry). They also had many cannons (called artillery). After crossing a river called the Aa, de Thermes' army captured Dunkirk and Nieuwpoort. This made them a threat to Brussels, an important city. The Spanish army planned to stop them at the Aa River.

How the Battle Unfolded

The Battle of Gravelines, 1558.

The Spanish army, with about 15,000 infantry and 3,000 cavalry, was led by the Count of Egmont. The French commander, Thermes, was surprised by how fast the Spanish moved. He had to fight because his army was trapped. The river was behind them, the sea was on their left, and their own supplies blocked their right side.

Thermes arranged his army in two lines. The cavalry and artillery were in the front, and the infantry was behind them.

The Spanish army saw the French positions. Egmont placed his troops in a curved shape, like a crescent moon. His light cavalry was on the sides. The Spanish, German, and Flemish soldiers were in the middle.

The French started firing their cannons. A messy fight began between the horse soldiers from both sides. The Spanish had soldiers called arquebusiers. These soldiers had better guns and training. They shot at the French cavalry. Then, they shot at the French infantry who were hiding behind their supply wagons. This caused a lot of confusion among the French.

Egmont, leading his horsemen, decided to attack the middle of the French army with his cavalry. At the same time, English ships, led by Admiral Edward Clinton, 1st Earl of Lincoln, fired cannons at the back of the French army. This caused many French soldiers to be hurt or killed.

The battle ended very badly for the French. Only about 1,500 French soldiers managed to escape. The rest were either killed or captured. Marshal de Thermes himself was taken prisoner. The French army had to retreat back to their border.

What Happened After

This big loss, along with the defeat at the Battle of St. Quentin (1557), forced King Henry II of France to make peace. He signed a treaty called the Peace of Cateau-Cambresis in 1559 with King Philip II of Spain.

As part of this peace treaty, Philip II married Elisabeth of Valois, who was King Henry's daughter. Also, Emmanuel Philibert, Duke of Savoy married Margaret of France, Duchess of Berry. She was King Henry's sister and the daughter of King Francis I of France.

See also

In Spanish: Batalla de Gravelinas para niños