Battles & Campaigns · 1589
Battle of Arques
Arques-la-Bataille, Seine-Maritime, France
What happened
Henry judged the port of Dieppe impossible to defend against Mayenne's much larger army, so he moved to Arques and strengthened its defences. For two weeks League forces attacked, but Henry's artillery drove them back. When English reinforcements arrived by sea, Mayenne retreated.
Why it matters
Henry held his position in Normandy and kept the port of Dieppe. The castle's cannon decided the battle.
What came next
The following March Henry won again at Ivry.
Did you know?
Henry scratched a message with his diamond on a château window: 'Dieu garde ma mie' ('God keep my love').
Timeline
- 15 Sep 1589League attacks begin.
- 23 Sep 1589English reinforcements arrive.
- 29 Sep 1589Mayenne retreats.
- 14 Mar 1590Battle of Ivry.