Battle of rocroi - Historum

harbinger · November 2nd, 2012, 02:59 PM

Was this a turning point battle?What are your general thoughts on the battle?

**pikeshot1600** · November 2nd, 2012, 03:59 PM

Not really a "turning point battle." Rocroi was 1643; Spain continued at war with France until 1659. The turning point may have been 1639- Battle of the Downs - when Spain was defeated at sea by the Dutch (Tromp).

The Spanish Road from Italy to the Netherlands had already been compromised, so the only way Spain could reinforce and support their armies in the Low Countries was by sea. After the Downs, it became so much more difficult to do that.

Rocroi was the origin of the reputation of le Duc d'Enghien (Conde) - a "Prince of the Blood." That had to be a big deal, so it became one.

Adaptation · November 2nd, 2012, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pikeshot1600

Not really a "turning point battle." Rocroi was 1643; Spain continued at war with France until 1659. The turning point may have been 1639- Battle of the Downs - when Spain was defeated at sea by the Dutch (Tromp).

The Spanish Road from Italy to the Netherlands had already been compromised, so the only way Spain could reinforce and support their armies in the Low Countries was by sea. After the Downs, it became so much more difficult to do that.

Rocroi was the origin of the reputation of le Duc d'Enghien (Conde) - a "Prince of the Blood." That had to be a big deal, so it became one.

Good post, this is pretty much it. It just cut off an option amongst others.

funakison · November 9th, 2012, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adaptation

Good post, this is pretty much it. It just cut off an option amongst others.

In some ways i think Rocroi and the Downes are equaly important, They were a sign of things to come. The great Spanish empire that had stood glorious and triumphant since the time of Charles V was defeated in quick successioin on land and sea. They marked the decline of Spain as a European superpower