Naval battle of Saint-Martin-de-Ré (1622)

On 27 October 1622, the Huguenot fleet of La Rochelle, commanded by Jean Guiton, engaged a larger royal fleet under Charles de Guise near Saint-Martin-de-Ré. The engagement ended inconclusively, with the Rochelais managing to fight to a standstill despite being outnumbered.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. La Rochelle had enjoyed relative freedom under Henry IV until the 1620s, when it entered conflict with King Louis XIII. In 1621 and 1622, Louis XIII sent a small army to blockade the city. The Peace of Montpellier, signed on 19 October 1622, encouraged the Rochelais to end hostilities, though tensions remained high.

The Engagement. Jean Guiton, a ship-owner and Admiral of the La Rochelle fleet, led the Huguenot forces against the royal navy. The battle took place in front of Saint-Martin-de-Ré, where the smaller Rochelais fleet faced a much larger royal force commanded by Charles de Guise. The engagement resulted in a standstill rather than a decisive victory for either side.

Sources

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