Huguenot Surrenders at Montauban and La Rochelle (1628)

In 1628, French royal forces under Cardinal Richelieu secured the surrender of La Rochelle, a key Huguenot stronghold. The city capitulated on 28 October after failed English relief attempts, marking a decisive victory for Louis XIII and the Catholics, though the broader rebellion continued until 1629.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. The Huguenot rebellions of the 1620s were uprisings by French Calvinist Protestants against royal authority. La Rochelle served as the center of Huguenot seapower and a primary point of resistance, making its capture a priority for Louis XIII and Richelieu to centralize authority.

The Siege. The siege began in 1627 following English support for the Huguenots. French royal forces surrounded La Rochelle, completing fortifications by April 1628 with an army of 30,000. This conflict marked the height of the struggle between Catholics and Protestants in France.

Outcome. English attempts to relieve the city failed, including a fleet dispatched in September 1628. Following these disappointments, La Rochelle surrendered on 28 October 1628. This resulted in a complete victory for Louis XIII and the Catholics, though the rebellion leader Rohan did not submit until 1629.

People involved

Sources

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