Siege of Rouen (1591–1592)

The siege of Rouen was an unsuccessful attempt by Henry IV of France to capture Rouen, the historical capital city of Normandy. The battle took place as part of the French Wars of Religion, the Eighty Years' War, and the Anglo–Spanish War (1585–1604).[1][2] Although he had claimed the throne in 1589, Henry, a Huguenot, was not recognized by many of his Catholic subjects, and he was forced to fight against a Catholic League determined to resist his rule, and which was aided by Spain.

Siege of Rouen
Part of the French War of Religion (1587–1594) and the Anglo–Spanish War
Date December 1591 – May 1592 Location Rouen, Normandy, Kingdom of France (present-day Upper Normandy, France) 49.4428°N 1.0886°E / 49.4428; 1.0886 Result Spanish-Catholic victory[1][2]
Belligerents
Henry of Navarre  England United Provinces	Catholic League Army of Flanders
Commanders and leaders
Henry of Navarre Baron de Biron Robert Devereux	André de Brancas Duke of Parma Carlos Coloma

At Rouen the combined French, English, and Dutch forces of Henry IV battled the troops of the Catholic League, commanded by André de Brancas, Amiral de Villars, and the Spanish forces led by Don Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma (Italian: Alessandro Farnese Spanish: Alejandro Farnesio). The city resisted until the arrival of the Spanish troops, which defeated and forced the Protestant forces to lift the siege.[1][2]