Order of battle at the Battle of Rocroi facts for kids

The Battle of Rocroi was a very important fight that happened on May 19, 1643. It was part of a bigger war called the Thirty Years' War. In this battle, the French army fought against the Spanish army. This article tells you about the main leaders and the different groups of soldiers who were there. Knowing who fought and how they were organized helps us understand how the battle unfolded.

French Army at Rocroi

The French army was led by a young but brilliant commander named Louis II of Bourbon, Duc d'Enghien. He was only 21 years old at the time! His army was called the Army of Picardy.

French Artillery

The French artillery was in charge of their cannons. They had 12 cannons, which were not the best quality, but they were used in two main groups. The person in charge of the artillery was Henri de Chivre, Marquis de la Barre.

How the French Army Was Organized

The French army was split into different parts, each with its own commander.

Left Wing

The left side of the French army was led by Henri de Saint-Nectaire, Marquis de la Ferte. This part of the army included several regiments, which are like large groups of soldiers. Another important leader in this section was Francois de l'Hospital. These regiments included soldiers from different areas, ready for battle.

Center of the French Army

The middle part of the French army was called the Army of Champagne. It was commanded by Joigny, Marquis d'Espenan. This was a very strong part of the army, with many different regiments. Some of these regiments were from other countries, like the Swiss and Scottish soldiers, who were known for being tough fighters. General la Valiere also led a group of soldiers in the center.

Right Wing

The right side of the French army was led by Jean, Comte de Gassion. This wing also had many regiments, including some of the most important ones like the Royal Regiment and the Gardes Regiment. There were even some soldiers from Croatia and Hungary, showing how armies back then were made up of people from many places. The main commander, Duc d'Enghien, also had some of his own special groups of soldiers here.

French Reserve Forces

Behind the main battle lines, the French had a group of soldiers called the Reserve. These soldiers were kept ready to help wherever they were needed most during the battle. They could be sent to reinforce a weak spot or to push forward when the enemy was tired. The Reserve was led by Claude de Lotouf, Baron de Sirot. It included different types of soldiers, like cavalry (soldiers on horseback) and infantry (soldiers who fight on foot).

Spanish Army at Rocroi

The Spanish army at Rocroi was called the Army of Flanders. It was led by Captain General Don Francisco de Melo. The Spanish army was famous for its strong infantry units, especially the "Tercios," which were very well-trained and disciplined.

Spanish Artillery

The Spanish had more cannons than the French, with 18 guns. These were organized into nine groups. Alvaro de Melo was in charge of the Spanish artillery.

How the Spanish Army Was Organized

Like the French, the Spanish army was also divided into several parts.

Left Wing

The left side of the Spanish army was commanded by Francisco de la Cueva, Duque de Albuquerque. Most of the units in this section came from Flanders, a region that was part of the Spanish Empire at the time. Juan Perez de Vivero and Pedro de Villamor were also important leaders here, commanding different sections of soldiers.

Center of the Spanish Army

The very strong center of the Spanish army was led by Paul Bernard, Conde de Fontaine. Sadly, he was killed during the battle. This part of the army included many famous Spanish Tercio units, which were known for their bravery and fighting skill. There were also soldiers from Italy and Walloon (from what is now Belgium), showing the diverse nature of the Spanish forces. Antonio de Quevado also led a group of soldiers in the center.

Right Wing

The right side of the Spanish army was led by Ernst, Graf von Isenburg. Many of the units in this wing came from Alsace. Conde de Bucquoy and Jacinto de Vera were key commanders here. This section also included some unique units, like the Regimento de Neygb Ystuan, which had soldiers from Croatia and Eastern Europe.

Spanish Reserve Forces

The Spanish also had a Reserve force, just like the French. These soldiers were kept ready to join the fight when needed. The Reserve was led by Baron de Andre. It included several companies of soldiers from Flanders, ready to support their comrades.

Sources

• Higgins, David. "Battle File: Rocroi, 19 May 1643." Strategy & Tactics, Number 244 (July 2007).