Siege of Caudebec

Part of the French War of Religion (1587–1594) and the Anglo–Spanish War

Retreat of the army of the Duke of Parma into Flanders in May of 1592
Rijksmuseum

Date

24 April - 21 May 1592

Location

Caudebec-en-Caux (Seine-Maritime), France

Result

Strategic victory for Henry IV

Successful escape & retreat of Parma's army

Belligerents

Kingdom of France

England

United Provinces

Spain
Catholic League

Commanders and leaders

Henry IV of France

Duke of Parma

Duke of Mayenne

Strength

25,000

15,000

Casualties and losses

unknown

Heavy

Strategic victory for Henry IV

The Siege of Caudebec (French: Retraite du Duc de Parme ) was a military event that took place between 24 April to 21 May 1592 as part of the French Wars of Religion and the Anglo-Spanish War (1585–1604). The Spanish and the French Catholic League forces of Duke of Parma had captured the town of Caudebec on the Seine, where they soon found themselves trapped by the reinforced Royalist Protestant army led by Henry of Navarre consisting of French, English and Dutch troops. Seeing that Henry's force had now surrounded him, Parma seeing that defeat was inevitable, pulled his 15,000 men across the river in a single night to escape and retreat to the south.

The Catholic forces of the Duke of Parma had relieved Rouen in April 1592 and had skilfully avoided an engagement with Henry's Protestant army. After having entered Rouen Parma then marched west and towards Caudebec on the Seine in the Pays de Caux a town blocking the road to the important route to the port of Le Havre. Henry's army at the same time had been weakened by disease and desertions to the Catholic League and needed to halt for supplies. Once this had been done Henry was reinforced by the Duke of Montpensier who had just secured Western Normandy with the capture of Avranches and with this both men were now ready to take to the field again. The army of Henry numbering in all 25,000 men included a large English contingent of 7,000 men, 3,000 Dutch and included a large cavalry force, nearly all French. In addition the sea lane towards the Seine were operated and controlled by several Dutch warships in support of Henry's forces.

Parma's force took Caudebec with ease and thus set about improving the towns defences.

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Wikipedia