Battle of Rocroi
Rocroi, France
What happened
The 21-year-old Duke of Enghien, later known as the Great Condé, led the French army against the Spanish army of Francisco de Melo. A Spanish army advanced through the Ardennes into northern France and besieged the town of Rocroi. The young duke hurried there and attacked before Spanish reinforcements could arrive. After heavy fighting, his cavalry surrounded the Spanish infantry, and the famous Spanish units called tercios, which had dominated European battlefields for over a century, were beaten.
Why it matters
Result: French victory. Why it matters: The battle is often considered to mark the end of Spanish military greatness and the beginning of French power in Europe.
What came next
The war ended with the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659. The Great Condé died in 1686.
Did you know?
The battle was fought only five days after Louis XIV became king of France.
Timeline
- 1621 CELouis, Duke of Enghien, is born.
- 19 May 1643 CEEnghien defeats the Spanish army at Rocroi.
- 1659 CEThe Treaty of the Pyrenees ends the war between France and Spain.
- 1686 CEThe Great Condé dies.