Battle of the Dunes
Near Dunkirk, Nord, France
What happened
A French army under Turenne, with English Commonwealth troops under William Lockhart, fought a Spanish army under John of Austria, with the Prince of Condé and English Royalists under James, Duke of York. The French and English were besieging Dunkirk, a Spanish base for privateers. The Spanish army marched to rescue it and took up position on a line of sand dunes. English soldiers attacked up the dunes, and as the tide went out Turenne's cavalry rode round the Spanish flank; within about two hours the Spanish line collapsed.
Why it matters
Why it matters: Dunkirk surrendered, ending much of the damage its privateers did to English shipping. The defeat also ended the immediate chance of a Royalist invasion of England.
What came next
Dunkirk was handed to England, and in 1659 France and Spain made peace in the Treaty of the Pyrenees. In 1662 King Charles II sold Dunkirk back to France for £320,000.
Did you know?
English soldiers fought on both sides: Commonwealth troops with the French, and exiled Royalists with the Spanish.
Timeline
- 1652Spain retakes Dunkirk.
- 14 June 1658France and England win the Battle of the Dunes.
- 24 June 1658Dunkirk surrenders.
- November 1659The Treaty of the Pyrenees is signed.
- 17 October 1662Charles II sells Dunkirk to France.