Siege of Arras (1640)

Timeline

1. c. 1640Arras · ArtoisFrench Marshal de la Meilleraye led the main army to encircle Arras, constructing inner and outer trench lines; Louis XIII came in person to oversee the siege as a sign of its importance. The Spanish garrison resisted stubbornly behind strong works, awaiting relief.
2. c. 1640Plains of Artois · ArtoisSpain sent Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand with some 20,000 troops to relieve the city, attempting to break through the French outer trench line and pinch the garrison. France promptly dispatched Louis de Bourbon (the future Grand Condé) to help defend the outer line.
3. 1640Outskirts of Arras · ArtoisCondé and de la Meilleraye struck together, routing the Spanish relief in a field battle outside Arras and capturing large quantities of baggage. With relief hopeless, the Spanish garrison signed its surrender that day; Arras fell to France, establishing French control of Artois.