Siege of Valenciennes (1676–1677)
French victory in the Franco-Dutch War / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The siege of Valenciennes took place from 28 February to 17 March 1677, during the Franco-Dutch War, when Valenciennes, then in the Spanish Netherlands, was attacked by a French army under the duc de Luxembourg.
Siege of Valenciennes | |||||||
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Part of the Franco-Dutch War | |||||||
Prise de Valenciennes, 17 mars 1677, oil on canvas by Jean Alaux, 1837, Galerie des batailles, Palace of Versailles | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
France | Spain | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Duc de Luxembourg Marquis de Vauban | Henri de Melun | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
35,000 maximum |
1,150 initially 2,000–3,000 auxiliaries | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
Unknown | Unknown | ||||||
Over the winter of 1676 to 1677, Valenciennes and Cambrai were subjected to a tight blockade, which prevented reinforcements or supplies reaching them from the outside. French armies also benefitted from superior logistics, which allowed them to begin campaigns far earlier than their opponents. Siege operations began on 28 February, supervised by French military engineer Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban, and the town surrendered on 17 March; Spain formally ceded it to France under the August 1678 Treaty of Nijmegen.