The siege of Arras is one of the famous battles of the Thirty Years’ War, commencing on June 13, 1640. French forces besieged Arras, which was then under the control of a Spanish Netherlands garrison. The objective was to liberate the city to gain a strategic advantage over the Spanish, who would be effectively trapped in western Picardy.
On August 9, 1640, the city of Arras was recaptured and liberated, presenting a significant opportunity for the Kingdom to repel the Spanish invaders. This event had such an impact that it found its way into numerous literary works, including Edmond Rostand’s play “Cyrano de Bergerac.”
What Was the Background to the Siege of Arras?
In 1618, the Holy Roman Empire, led by the House of Habsburg, was fractured by an internal civil war fueled by religious differences. The revolt of Protestant Czech subjects ignited the conflict; the violent repression by the House of Habsburg and its desire to establish Catholic hegemony in the Holy Roman Empire triggered a prolonged European war.
On one side were the German states of the Holy Roman Empire, supported by Protestant European powers; on the other side were the Holy Roman Empire, the Spanish Netherlands, and the papacy—the Thirty Years’ War. France, then under the rule of King Louis XIII but primarily influenced by Cardinal Richelieu, took part in the conflict.
Despite being Catholic, Richelieu saw this as an opportunity to weaken the Habsburgs, whose influence in Europe was steadily growing. The campaign launched by Louis XIII in the spring of 1638 officially brought France into war against the Holy Roman Empire and the Spanish Netherlands, aiming to undermine the House of Habsburg.
How Did the Siege of Arras Unfold?
The siege of Arras involved two warring powers:
- The Spanish Netherlands, consisting of a garrison and a military force under the command of Colonel O’Neill.
- The Kingdom of France was composed of two army corps, one led by Marshal de Chaulnes and the other by Marshal de Châtillon.
France was also assisted by two army corps from the United Provinces, primarily led by Charles de La Porte. After failing to recover the Meuse, Marshal La Porte was recalled to Arras, where he positioned his troops on June 13. A few days later, Châtillon and Chaulnes joined him on the north bank of the Scarpe River. Thus, the eastern and southern approaches to the city were surrounded by approximately 31,000 French and United Provinces troops.
Meanwhile, the garrison troops under Colonel O’Neill, numbering 2,000, prepared for defense. It took them nearly a month to construct their siege fortifications. On July 9, 1640, the Spanish organized a counteroffensive, reinforcing the defensive forces with a contingent of 32,000 men under the command of Ferdinand of Austria. Instead of attacking, these troops settled in Avesnes-le-Comte, a few kilometers from Arras, aiming to cut off French supplies and force them to lift the siege.
However, Richelieu and Louis XIII themselves organized a fresh supply convoy that had 18,000 soldiers guarding it. This convoy encountered no opposition and strengthened the French troops. The main battle took place at the Fort of Arras, repeatedly changing hands between the French and the Spanish. A charge by Marshal Chaulnes’ cavalry eventually forced the Spanish into retreat. They were compelled to sign their capitulation on August 9, 1640, two days after the French breached the walls of Arras.
What Were the Consequences of the Siege of Arras in 1640?
After the victory of the Kingdom of France and the United Provinces, Arras returned to the French and reaffirmed its Catholicism. Despite this, Richelieu chooses to be lenient. Thus, it retains most of its privileges, such as the maintenance of the Parliament of Artois, while adapting it to French law. The entire Artois region still maintains its own prerogatives, rules, laws, and finances, allowing the province to preserve its autonomy.
This victory has also energized the French. More confident after several defeats, the French troops successfully recaptured other strongholds that had fallen into the hands of the Spanish Netherlands, such as Aire-sur-la-Lys, Lens, La Bassée, etc. The French were able to reclaim the entire Artois region in just one year.
Prince Thomas of Savoy, from the House of Savoy, usually allied with the Spanish, is placed under the protection of France, providing the Kingdom with opportunities for negotiations and an expanded diplomatic field.
How Many Other Sieges of the Town of Arras Have There Been?
Before the 1640 siege, the city of Arras had experienced several others. Firstly, there was the siege of 1194. Arras was the focal point of a territorial conflict in the County of Flanders at that time, involving Richard the Lionheart (from the Kingdom of England) and Philip II of France (from the Kingdom of France). Even then, the Kingdom of France had managed to retain the city by successfully defending it against the siege established by the English.
In 1414, Arras was besieged by the French, aiming to reclaim the city from the Burgundians, who were allies of the English, during the Hundred Years’ War. Once again, the siege proved successful.
In 1712, Arras became the theater of another siege during the War of the Spanish Succession. The city, liberated by the French, played a role in signing the Treaty of Utrecht, bringing peace between Spain and France.
Finally, Arras found itself at the center of conflicts during both World Wars (World War I and World War II). In 1914, the French lost control of it, and in 1917, the Allied forces took it back. In 1940, the Germans succeeded in taking Arras, strengthening their invasion of northern France.
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