Siege of Tournai (1667)

The siege of Tournai was an event in the War of Devolution. A French army commanded by Louis XIV successfully besieged the town of Tournai, then part of the Spanish Netherlands.^[1] The siege, which began on 21 June 1667, led to the surrender of the defenders loyal to the Spanish Empire fewer than five days later.^[2]

Siege of Tournai
Part of the War of Devolution
The Army of Louis XIV in front of Tournai in 1667 by Adam Frans van der Meulen
Date 21 – 26 June 1667 Location Tournai, Spanish Netherlands 50°36′20″N 03°23′17″E Result French victory
Belligerents
France	Spanish Empire
Commanders and leaders
Louis XIV Vicomte de Turenne	Marquis de Trazegnies
Strength
35,000	~400 soldiers 4 companies of burghers
Tournai Location of Tournai in modern day Belgium

Background

See also: War of Devolution

Louis XIV's initial objective for the campaign season had been to capture Brussels, delivering a single decisive blow to the Spanish. Louis was, however, advised by the Vicomte de Turenne to be more cautious and attack easier objectives closer to the French border.^[3] In the summer of 1667, Tournai had obsolete fortifications and was lightly defended by a garrison comprising 230 Irish soldiers and 150 cavalry troops under the command of the Marquis de Trazegnies. Trazegnies also had four companies of burghers to draw upon.

Siege

The French army, commanded by Louis himself, presented itself at the foot of the town's ramparts on 21 June. The following day, a siege trench around the town was dug and occupied by French soldiers. Louis is recorded as having joined his soldiers in the trenches, exposing himself to enemy fire in the process and causing Turenne much anxiety.^[4][5] On 25 June, the town of Tournai surrendered and its fortress capitulated the following day. Trazegnies was permitted to surrender to Louis with the honours of war.^[6]

Aftermath

Tournai and its environs were among the territories ceded to France by Spain in the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle. Louis ordered the construction of a new citadel in 1667, which was completed in 1674. The new fortifications, built by Guillaume Deshouillères under the supervision of Vauban, were to be put the test in the siege of Tournai in 1709 during the War of the Spanish Succession.^[7]

References

1. "The French Army Encamped before Tournai, 1667". Royal Collection Trust. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
2. Lynn, John A. (2013). The Wars of Louis XIV 1667-1714. Routledge. ISBN 9781317899501.
3. Lavisse, Ernest (1908). Louis XIV: histoire d'un grand règne, 1643-1715. Paris: Robert Laffont. p. 622. ISBN 978-2-221-05502-1.
4. "Louis XIV at the Siege of Tournai, June 1667". Royal Collection Trust. Retrieved 18 August 2023. Louis XIV successfully besieged Tournai between 22–25 June 1667, taking control back from Spain. His entourage was alarmed when he exposed himself to the fire of the enemy in the trenches.
5. Grant, R.G. (2011). Commanders. Dorling Kindersley Ltd. p. 163.
6. Garnier, Jacques (2004). Dictionnaire Perrin des guerres et des batailles de l'histoire de France. Paris: Perrin. pp. 1524–1525. ISBN 978-2-262-00829-1.
7. "Citadelle de Tournai". Ville de Tournai. Retrieved 18 August 2023.