Battle of Dormans

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Battle of Dormans
Part of the 5th War of Religion in France
Date10 October 1575 [1]
Location
Near the village of Dormans, on the Marne [1]
Result Catholic victory
Belligerents
Catholics Huguenots / Protestants
Commanders and leaders
Henry I, Duke of Guise John Casimir of the Palatinate-Simmern

The Battle of Dormans was fought on 10 October 1575, during the 5th War of Religion in France, between the armies of Henry I, Duke of Guise (i.e. Catholics) and the Huguenot-recruited German army of John Casimir of the Palatinate-Simmern (i.e. Protestants). [1]

French Wars of Religion civil infighting from 1562–98

The French Wars of Religion were a prolonged period of war and popular unrest between Roman Catholics and Huguenots in the Kingdom of France between 1562 and 1598. It is estimated that three million people perished in this period from violence, famine, or disease in what is considered the second deadliest religious war in European history.

Kingdom of France kingdom in Western Europe from 843 to 1791

The Kingdom of France was a medieval and early modern monarchy in Western Europe. It was one of the most powerful states in Europe and a great power since the Late Middle Ages and the Hundred Years' War. It was also an early colonial power, with possessions around the world.

Henry I, Duke of Guise Duke of Guise

Henry I, Prince of Joinville, Duke of Guise, Count of Eu, sometimes called Le Balafré (Scarface), was the eldest son of Francis, Duke of Guise, and Anna d'Este. His maternal grandparents were Ercole II d'Este, Duke of Ferrara, and Renée of France. Through his maternal grandfather, he was a descendant of Lucrezia Borgia and Pope Alexander VI.

At Dormans, the Duke of Guise was wounded in his face, which gave him the nickname "Le Balafré". [2] According to Penny Richards: "This scar and this name, with which he was thereafter frequently depicted, contributed to his legendary reputation". [2]

Though the Duke of Guise achieved a victory at Dormans, in its aftermath, he was unable to break through the defences of François de Montmorency. [1] [2] The 5th war concluded with the Edict of Beaulieu in May 1576. [1]

François de Montmorency Marshal of France

François de Montmorency, Duc de Montmorency was a French soldier, diplomat and peer who served as governor of Paris. He was Duke of Montmorency, Count of Dammartin, Baron of Châteaubriant and Lord of L'Isle-Adam, Grand Master of France and of France.

The Edict of Beaulieu was promulgated from Beaulieu-lès-Loches on 6 May 1576 by Henry III of France, who was pressured by Alençon's support of the Protestant army besieging Paris that spring.

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References

Sources

Gordon Campbell is a professor of Renaissance Studies at the University of Leicester known for his work on Milton and on the King James Bible. Campbell is one of the "world's leading authorities on the King James Bible."

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