Battle of Saint-Quentin
The Battle of Saint-Quentin, fought on August 10, 1557, was a significant engagement within the context of the wider conflicts between France and Spain during the 16th century. It began with a siege laid by Duke Emmanuel Philibert of Savoy, as French forces aimed to relieve the city. Duke Anne Montmorency led a contingent of approximately 24,000 troops, intending to support the defenders of Saint-Quentin; however, logistical challenges and his hesitance to retreat resulted in a chaotic confrontation. This led to a significant defeat for the French, with over 2,500 troops killed and around 6,000 captured, including Montmorency himself.
Following the battle, despite having the opportunity to advance into France, Philip II of Spain chose to consolidate his forces and continued the siege, which resulted in the fall of Saint-Quentin on August 27. This defeat prompted King Henry II of France to bolster defenses around Paris, highlighting the battle's broader implications for the power dynamics in the region. The aftermath set the stage for future military actions, including an offensive against Calais in the following year. The events surrounding the Battle of Saint-Quentin underscore the complexities of military strategy and the challenges faced by leaders in times of conflict.
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Subject Terms
Battle of Saint-Quentin
Type of action: Ground battle in the Valois-Habsburg War
Date: August 10, 1557
Location: Along the Somme River (south of Saint-Quentin in Picardy, France)
Combatants: 47,000 Spanish (Habsburgs) vs. 24,000 French (Valois)
Principal commanders:Spanish, Duke Emmanuel Philibert of Savoy (1528–1580); French, Duke Anne Montmorency (1528–1580)
Result: French failed to relieve Saint-Quentin
On August 1, 1557, Duke Emmanuel Philibert of Savoy’s forces laid siege to Saint-Quentin. Henry II of France ordered Duke Anne Montmorency to take all available men to relieve the city. Able to collect only about 24,000 troops, Montmorency intended to avoid battle but put reinforcements into Saint-Quentin. Early on August 10, Montmorency approached the marshes south of the city to slip men into the besieged place. Unexpected problems delayed them, and few made it into the city before the French found themselves facing the assembled enemy forces. Montmorency’s reluctance to retreat before his mission was accomplished prevented the French from effecting an orderly withdrawal. Also his failure to guard a ford across the Somme allowed Savoy to use his cavalry to catch the French before they had gotten far. The French lost more than 2,500 men killed, and some 6,000 were captured, including Montmorency.
Although the road to Paris lay open, Philip II of Spain decided not to risk pushing forward while Saint-Quentin remained untaken. He ordered his army back to the siege lines, and the place fell on August 27. Philip then concluded it was too late in the season to march on Paris and put his army into winter quarters.
Significance
After the French defeat, Henry II assembled a large army to protect Paris. When Philip failed to advance, he sent it against Calais early the next year.
Bibliography
Baumgartner, Frederic. Henry II King of France. 1988. Reprint. Durham, N.C.: Duke University Press, 1996.
Oman, Charles. A History of the Art of War in the Sixteenth Century. 1937. Reprint. Mechanicsburg, Pa.: Stackpole Books, 1999.