Battle of Bordeaux (1653)

Battle of Bordeaux
Part of the Franco-Spanish War (1635)

The Gironde estuary seen from the citadel of Blaye.
Date20 October 1653
Location
Gironde estuary near Montagne, France
Result Spanish victory
Belligerents
 France  Spain
Commanders and leaders
Duke of Vendôme Marquis of Santa Cruz
Strength
Unknown naval forces
~3,000 soldiers and militia[1]		 30 warships[2]
Three tercios[3]
Casualties and losses
3 galleys captured,
7 brigantines captured,
2 frigates burnt,
2 brigantines burnt,
15 barges burnt[4]		 None[4]

The Battle of Bordeaux was a naval engagement of the Franco-Spanish War of 1635–1659 fought on 20 October 1653 in the Gironde estuary. A Spanish fleet under Álvaro de Bazán, 3rd Marquis of Santa Cruz, sent to relieve Bordeaux, at that time held by the nobles rose up against Louis XIV during the Fronde, encountered a great concentration of French warships belonging to Duke of Vendome's army in the channel of Blaye and captured or destroyed most of it. Shortly after a landing was made by some 1,600 soldiers of the Spanish Tercios which sacked the village of Montagne-sur-Gironde.[4] A similar attempt in the Island of Ré was repulsed,[5] so Santa Cruz, having accomplished his orders, returned to Spain.

  1. ^ Gómez de Blas
  2. ^ Fernández Duro p. 8
  3. ^ Fernández Duro p. 9
  4. ^ a b c Fernández Duro p. 10
  5. ^ Michaud p. 612