Battles & Campaigns · 1590
Battle of Ivry
Ivry-la-Bataille, Eure, France
What happened
Henry was besieging Dreux when Mayenne came to rescue it. The armies met at first light on the plain of Épieds near Ivry. Henry led a cavalry charge against the League's lancers, Mayenne was driven back, and many League and Spanish troops fled or surrendered.
Why it matters
The win left Henry as the only serious claimant to the French throne.
What came next
Henry could not take Paris until 1594, after he had become a Roman Catholic the year before.
Did you know?
Before the battle Henry told his men to follow his helmet plume if they lost their flags; the town was later renamed Ivry-la-Bataille ('Ivry the Battle').
Timeline
- Sep 1589Battle of Arques.
- 14 Mar 1590Battle of Ivry.
- 1593Henry becomes Catholic.
- 1594Henry enters Paris.