Battles & Campaigns · 1757
Battle of Hastenbeck
Hastenbeck, near Hameln, Lower Saxony, Germany
What happened
Cumberland's army was defending a line along the Weser River near Hamelin, but the French crossed the river and forced a battle. French troops took a lightly guarded hill called the Obensburg, and then broke into the centre of Cumberland's line. His army pulled back.
Why it matters
The French went on to occupy the Electorate of Hanover, a key territory for the allies. The defeat led directly to the Convention of Klosterzeven.
What came next
At Klosterzeven in September 1757 Cumberland agreed to an armistice and to pull his army back across the Elbe. The convention was later revoked, and Ferdinand of Brunswick took command.
Did you know?
The village of Hastenbeck was nearly destroyed; only the church, the manse and one farmhouse survived.
Timeline
- 26 Jul 1757Battle of Hastenbeck.
- Sep 1757Convention of Klosterzeven signed.
- 5 Nov 1757Prussian victory at Rossbach encourages George II to reject the convention.
- 1758Hanover re-enters the war.