France vs. England: The War Over La Rochelle

The military conflict between France and England, driven by the personal rivalry between Richelieu and Buckingham.

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Buckingham's Expedition

An English Invasion The Landing on the Isle of Re Buckingham leads an English fleet to support the Huguenot rebels at La Rochelle. He lands on the Isle of Re and besieges the citadel of St. Martin. The French, under the Comte de Toiras, defend the island. The Cardinal's Response Cardinal Richelieu mobilizes the French army to counter the English threat. He takes personal command of the siege of La Rochelle, determined to crush the rebellion and humiliate Buckingham. A War of Attrition The conflict becomes a war of attrition. The English fail to take the citadel, and the French besiege La Rochelle. Both sides suffer heavy losses, but the English are eventually forced to withdraw.

The Assassination of Buckingham

A Decisive Blow The Cardinal's Plot Richelieu, unable to defeat Buckingham in open war, resorts to assassination. He sends Milady to England with orders to kill the duke. Milady seduces Felton, who stabs Buckingham in Portsmouth. The Aftermath Buckingham's death removes the English threat. The siege of La Rochelle continues without hope of relief, and the city surrenders in October 1628. The cardinal's victory is complete. The Cost The assassination ends the war but deepens the enmity between the cardinal and the Musketeers, who had tried to prevent it. The conflict between France and England subsides, but the personal vendettas continue.

1627

23 August 1628