Siege of Mons (1691)

Siege of Mons (1691)
Part of the Nine Years' War

Louis XIV Accepting the Surrender of Mons
Date15 March–10 April 1691
Location
Result French victory
Belligerents
 France  Spain
 Dutch Republic
 Holy Roman Empire
Commanders and leaders
King Louis XIV
Marquis de Vauban
Duc de Boufflers
Louis, Grand Dauphin
Spain Prince of Grimberghen
Spain Marquis of Gastañaga
Strength
92,000[1]
90 guns
~4,800[2]
Casualties and losses
No data No data

The siege of Mons, 15 March – 10 April 1691, was a major operation fought during the Nine Years' War, and was the main French objective for the 1691 campaign in the Spanish Netherlands. The city was besieged and captured before the normal commencement of the campaigning season with minimal losses. The outcome was not in doubt, but in a conflict dominated by siege warfare, neither the French army of King Louis XIV, nor the forces of the Grand Alliance under King William III, could bring about a decisive battle. After the siege the duc de Boufflers bombarded the neutral city of Liège, whilst the duc de Luxembourg captured Halle, and scored a minor victory against the Prince of Waldeck at the Battle of Leuze in September. Strategically, however, little had changed in the war, and both combatants returned to winter quarters at the end of the campaigning season.

  1. ^ Chandler: The Art of Warfare in the Age of Marlborough, p. 308. All statistics taken from Chandler.
  2. ^ Lynn states 6,000