Battle of Saint-Denis (1678)
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Saint-Denis was fought on August 14-15 1678 between a French army commanded by the Marshal Luxembourg
and a Dutch army under William III
near Saint-Denis
, a village outside Mons
, then part of the Spanish Netherlands (now Belgium
). It was the last battle of the Franco-Dutch War
(1672-1678), fought after the peace was signed between France and the Netherlands in the Treaty of Nijmegen on August 10.
The treaty between France and Spain was not yet signed, and it was the intention of the French to make further pretexts for delay, in the hope that Mons meanwhile would fall. The report of the conclusion of peace reached the stadholder in his camp on August 13, but unofficially. On the morning of August 14 D’Estrades
came personally to bring the news to Luxemburg; and the French marshal was on the point of forwarding the message to the Dutch camp, when he heard that Orange was advancing with his army to attack him, and he felt that honour compelled him to accept the challenge. A sanguinary fight took place at Saint-Denis, a short distance from Mons. William exposed his life freely, and though the result was nominally a drawn battle, he achieved his purpose. Luxembourg raised the siege of Mons, and the negotiations with Spain were pressed forward. The treaty between France and Spain was signed on September 17, 1678.
The battle was one of the most fiercely contested of the whole war. Each side had about 2,000 soldiers killed.
, the illegitimate son of Charles II of England
, was present at the battle as commander of the Anglo-Dutch brigade, and distinguished himself.
Also present were Menno van Coehoorn
(the “Dutch Vauban”), and the future Marshall Hendrik Overkirk, who is said to have saved the life of William III during the battle by cutting down an attacker who already had his pistol against the Prince’s chest.
François Henri de Montmorency-Bouteville, duc de Luxembourg
François Henri de Montmorency-Bouteville, duc de Piney, called de Luxembourg was a French general, marshal of France, famous as the comrade and successor of the great Condé.-Early years:...
and a Dutch army under William III
William III of England
William III & II was a sovereign Prince of Orange of the House of Orange-Nassau by birth. From 1672 he governed as Stadtholder William III of Orange over Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, and Overijssel of the Dutch Republic. From 1689 he reigned as William III over England and Ireland...
near Saint-Denis
Saint-Denis (Mons)
Saint-Denis is a village near the Belgian town Mons in the province of Hainaut....
, a village outside Mons
Mons
Mons is a Walloon city and municipality located in the Belgian province of Hainaut, of which it is the capital. The Mons municipality includes the old communes of Cuesmes, Flénu, Ghlin, Hyon, Nimy, Obourg, Baudour , Jemappes, Ciply, Harmignies, Harveng, Havré, Maisières, Mesvin, Nouvelles,...
, then part of the Spanish Netherlands (now Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
). It was the last battle of the Franco-Dutch War
Franco-Dutch War
The Franco-Dutch War, often called simply the Dutch War was a war fought by France, Sweden, the Bishopric of Münster, the Archbishopric of Cologne and England against the United Netherlands, which were later joined by the Austrian Habsburg lands, Brandenburg and Spain to form a quadruple alliance...
(1672-1678), fought after the peace was signed between France and the Netherlands in the Treaty of Nijmegen on August 10.
The treaty between France and Spain was not yet signed, and it was the intention of the French to make further pretexts for delay, in the hope that Mons meanwhile would fall. The report of the conclusion of peace reached the stadholder in his camp on August 13, but unofficially. On the morning of August 14 D’Estrades
Godefroi, Comte d'Estrades
Godefroi, Comte d'Estrades was a French diplomatist and marshal.He was born in Agen, the son of Francois d'Estrades , a partisan of Henry IV, and brother of Jean d'Estrades, bishop of Condom...
came personally to bring the news to Luxemburg; and the French marshal was on the point of forwarding the message to the Dutch camp, when he heard that Orange was advancing with his army to attack him, and he felt that honour compelled him to accept the challenge. A sanguinary fight took place at Saint-Denis, a short distance from Mons. William exposed his life freely, and though the result was nominally a drawn battle, he achieved his purpose. Luxembourg raised the siege of Mons, and the negotiations with Spain were pressed forward. The treaty between France and Spain was signed on September 17, 1678.
The battle was one of the most fiercely contested of the whole war. Each side had about 2,000 soldiers killed.
Present at the battle
James Scott, 1st Duke of MonmouthJames Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth
James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth, 1st Duke of Buccleuch, KG, PC , was an English nobleman. Originally called James Crofts or James Fitzroy, he was born in Rotterdam in the Netherlands, the eldest illegitimate son of Charles II and his mistress, Lucy Walter...
, the illegitimate son of Charles II of England
Charles II of England
Charles II was monarch of the three kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland.Charles II's father, King Charles I, was executed at Whitehall on 30 January 1649, at the climax of the English Civil War...
, was present at the battle as commander of the Anglo-Dutch brigade, and distinguished himself.
Also present were Menno van Coehoorn
Menno van Coehoorn
Menno, Baron van Coehoorn was a Dutch soldier and military engineer of Swedish extraction. He made a number of influential weaponry innovations in siege warfare and fortification techniques...
(the “Dutch Vauban”), and the future Marshall Hendrik Overkirk, who is said to have saved the life of William III during the battle by cutting down an attacker who already had his pistol against the Prince’s chest.