Battle of Ivry
The Battle of Ivry, fought on March 14, 1590, was a significant military engagement during the French Wars of Religion, marking a pivotal moment for King Henry IV of France. Following a failed assault on Paris earlier that year, Henry IV retreated to Normandy, where he faced the forces of Charles de Lorraine, Duke of Mayenne, who had bolstered his troops with Spanish support. The battle was characterized by a strong cavalry presence on both sides, with initial exchanges involving artillery and gunfire before transitioning to close combat. Henry IV's decisive leadership, particularly his daring charge into the enemy center, turned the tide of the battle, leading to a rout of Mayenne's forces, who suffered heavy casualties—estimated at nearly 4,000 men—while Henry's troops lost around 500. Despite this victory, Henry IV's subsequent attempts to besiege Paris proved unsuccessful, leaving the civil conflict in France unresolved. The Battle of Ivry is noted for showcasing Henry's tactical skills, which contributed to his reputation as a formidable leader during a tumultuous period in French history.
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Battle of Ivry
Type of action: Ground battle in French Wars of Religion
Date: March 14, 1590
Location: Southeast of Evreux, Normandy
Combatants: 11,000 Protestants/Royalists vs. 16,000 Catholic Leaguers
Principal commanders:Protestant/Royalist, King Henry IV (1553–1610); League, Charles de Lorraine, duke of Mayenne (1554–1611)
Result: Protestant/Royalist victory
On November 1, 1589, King Henry IV failed in his assault on the walls of Paris defended by the Catholic League. He retreated into Normandy, where he took several cities. The forces of Charles de Lorraine, duke of Mayenne, augmented by 2,000 Spanish troops sent by Philip II, marched out of Paris to prevent Henry from overrunning all Normandy. Henry, who had been besieging Dreux, abandoned the siege lines to give battle. Both forces were strong in cavalry, and except for opening fire from artillery and arquebusiers, the fighting was largely between horse units. An evenly matched battle was turned into a rout when Henry personally led his squadron of horsemen into the enemy center, firing their pistols at close range and closing with the sword. Much of Mayenne’s cavalry still used the long lance and was at a severe disadvantage in close-in fighting. With their center broken, Mayenne’s men fled, and a hard pursuit inflicted heavy casualties on them. Catholic League dead were placed at nearly 4,000 men, and Henry’s forces lost about 500.
Significance
Henry demonstrated the tactics and bravado that made him a successful captain. He delayed in attacking to Paris, however, which allowed the league to strengthen its defenses, and his second siege of the city, begun in May, also failed. The civil war in France remained deadlocked.
Bibliography
Lloyd, Howell. The Rouen Campaign, 1590–1592: Politics, Warfare and the Early-Modern State. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1973.
Love, Ronald. “‘All the King’s Horsemen’: The Equestrian Army of Henri IV, 1585–1598.” Sixteenth Century Journal 22 (1991): 511–533.