Siege of Calais (1596)

Siege of Calais (1596)
Part of the Franco-Spanish War (1595–1598) and the Anglo-Spanish War (1585–1604)

Engraving the Siege of Calais of 1596 – collection Rijksmuseum Amsterdam
Date8–24 April 1596
Location50°56′53″N 1°51′23″E / 50.9481°N 1.8564°E / 50.9481; 1.8564
Result Spanish victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of France Kingdom of France
Supported by:
 England
Dutch Republic United Provinces
Spain Spanish Empire
Commanders and leaders
Kingdom of France Henry IV of France
Kingdom of France Sieur de Widessan 
Kingdom of France François d'Orléans
Spain Archduke Albert
Spain Luis de Velasco
Spain Carlos Coloma
Strength
Calais: 1,500[1]
Relief forces: Unknown
12,000–15,000[2]
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown

The siege of Calais of 1596, also known as the Spanish conquest of Calais, took place at the strategic port-city of Calais (present-day northern France), between 8 and 24 April 1596, as part of the Franco-Spanish War (1595–1598), in the context of the French Wars of Religion, the Anglo-Spanish War (1585–1604), and the Eighty Years' War.[3][4][5] The siege ended when the city fell into Spanish hands after a short and intense siege by the Spanish Army of Flanders commanded by Archduke Albert of Austria, Governor-General of the Spanish Netherlands (Spanish: Alberto de Austria).[3][4] The French troops in the citadel of Calais resisted for a few days more but finally, on 24 April, the Spanish troops led by Don Luis de Velasco y Velasco, Count of Salazar, assaulted and captured the fortress, achieving a complete victory.[4] The Spanish success was the first action of the campaign of Archduke Albert of 1596.[2]

  1. ^ Siege of Calais by Rutger Velpius
  2. ^ a b Campbel/Bertrand p.57
  3. ^ a b Elliott p.345
  4. ^ a b c Luc Duerloo p.44
  5. ^ Walters/Wagner p.194

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