Battle of Gravelines (1558)
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Battle of Gravelines | |||||||
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Part of the Italian War of 1551–1559 | |||||||
The Battle of Gravelines | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Kingdom of France | |||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Paul de Thermes |
Count of Egmont | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
12,000 infantry 2,000 cavalry |
15,000 infantry 3,000 cavalry | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
12,500 dead, wounded, or captured [citation needed] | 300 dead or wounded [citation needed] |
The Battle of Gravelines was fought on 13 July 1558 at Gravelines, near Calais, France. It occurred during the twelve-year war between France and Spain (1547–1559).
The battle resulted in a victory by the Spanish forces, led by Lamoral, Count of Egmont, over the French, led by Marshal Paul de Thermes. The Spanish were supported by the English Navy, who opened fire on the French as they reached the sand dunes at Gravelines.[2]
Following the dominance of the Spanish forces, led by
Development of the battle
The Duke of Savoy and Philip met an army of 15,000 infantry and 3,000 cavalry, giving the command to the Count of Egmont. Surprised by the speed of the Spanish maneuver, Thermes had to do battle because he had the river behind him, the sea on his left, and his right completely blocked by the baggage column of his own army. He deployed his army on the left bank of the river, creating a double line with the cavalry and artillery in one row and the infantry in a second row behind them.
Sighting the French positions, Egmont placed his troops in a crescent, with the light cavalry on the flanks and the Spanish troops, together with the German and Flemish units, in the center.
The French used their artillery, and a chaotic battle was fought between the cavalry of both sides. The Spanish
This defeat, coupled with the loss at the
References
- ISBN 1843834057, p. 12
- ^ Collins Encyclopedia of Military History.