Siege of Barcelona (1697) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Siege of Barcelona
Part of Nine Years' War
Map of the siege by an unknown author printed in Paris.
Date 12 June – 10 August 1697 Location Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain Result French victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of France	Crown of Aragon
Commanders and leaders
Duke of Vendôme	Francisco de Velasco George of Hesse-Darmstadt
Strength
25,000–32,000 men	Unknown
Casualties and losses
9,000	12,000

The Siege of Barcelona in 1697 was a major battle during the Nine Years' War. This war was a big conflict in Europe that lasted from 1688 to 1697. During the siege, French forces attacked the city of Barcelona, which was part of Spain at the time.

The French army was led by a skilled commander named Louis Joseph, Duke of Vendôme. His forces were very strong, with about 32,000 soldiers. They had even more troops because some had just finished fighting in Italy. The city of Barcelona was defended by a Spanish army led by Prince George of Hesse-Darmstadt.

What Was the Siege of Barcelona?

A siege happens when an army surrounds a city or castle to cut off its supplies. The goal is to force the people inside to surrender. The Siege of Barcelona started on June 12, 1697. The French army completely surrounded the city. They tried to break through its defenses.

Why Did It Happen?

The siege was part of the larger Nine Years' War. This war involved many European countries. They were fighting over power and land. France, led by King Louis XIV, was often at war with other nations. Capturing Barcelona was an important goal for France in this conflict.

Key Figures in the Battle

The battle involved important leaders from both sides.

Duke of Vendôme: The French Commander

Louis Joseph, Duke of Vendôme was a famous French general. He was known for his military skills. He led the large French army during the siege. His job was to plan the attack and make sure his soldiers followed orders.

Prince George of Hesse-Darmstadt: The Defender

Prince George of Hesse-Darmstadt was in charge of defending Barcelona. He was a German prince who served the Spanish king. He had fewer soldiers than the French. Despite this, he and his troops fought bravely to protect the city.

The Battle and Its Outcome

The fighting during the siege was very tough. The French army attacked Barcelona for nearly two months. They used cannons and other siege weapons. The defenders inside the city fought hard to keep the French out.

When Did the Siege End?

The siege ended on August 10, 1697. After a long and difficult fight, the Spanish forces had to surrender. This means they gave up the city to the French army. This was a victory for France in the Nine Years' War.

How Many Soldiers Were Lost?

Both sides suffered many losses during the siege.

• The French army lost about 9,000 soldiers. These were soldiers who were killed, wounded, or went missing.
• The Spanish side had even more losses. Around 12,000 Spanish soldiers were killed, wounded, or lost.
• Some historians have different numbers. One historian, Antonio Espino López, suggests that Spanish losses were about 4,500 killed and 800 wounded. He also says French losses might have been around 15,000, including 52 engineers. No matter the exact numbers, it was a very costly battle for both armies.

After the Siege

The French victory at Barcelona was important. However, the Nine Years' War ended soon after. The Treaty of Ryswick was signed in September 1697. This treaty officially ended the war. As part of the treaty, France gave Barcelona back to Spain.

See also

In Spanish: Sitio de Barcelona (1697) para niños