Crossing of the Somme

Crossing of the Somme
Part of the Thirty Years' War and the
Franco-Spanish War (1635–59)

Crossing of the Somme, 1636. Oil on canvas by Peter Snayers.
Date5 August 1636
Location
Result Imperial-Spanish victory
Belligerents
 France  Spain
 Holy Roman Empire
Commanders and leaders
Kingdom of France Louis, Count of Soissons Spain Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand
Spain Prince of Carignano
Holy Roman Empire Ottavio Piccolomini
Strength
14,000[1] 18,000[2]–25,000[3]
Casualties and losses
700-800 soldiers killed
13 captains
14 lieutenants
16 corporals
35 killed and 50 wounded (reported)[4]

The Crossing of the Somme took place on 5 August 1636 during the Thirty Years' War and the Franco-Spanish War when units of the Spanish Army of Flanders and the Imperial Army under Thomas Francis, Prince of Carignano, lieutenant of the Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand of Austria, crossed the Somme river near Bray-sur-Somme during its offensive in French territory. Despite the fierce resistance of the French army led by Louis de Bourbon, Count of Soissons, the allied troops successfully crossed the river and drove off the French troops along the Oise river, proceeding over the following weeks to invest the important fortress of Corbie, located two leagues upriver of Amiens, which caused a spread of panic among the population of Paris.

  1. ^ Vincart, p. 18
  2. ^ Israel, p. 75
  3. ^ Parrott, p. 119
  4. ^ Vincart, p. 28