A battle of Leucate (?), 1637

A view of the Spanish siege of French-held Leucate, between 27 August and 29 September 1637, culminating in the Battle of Leucate, fought on 28 September 1637 between the French Royal army, commanded by Charles de Schomberg, duc de Halluin (16 February 1601-6 June 1656), Governor of Languedoc, and the Spanish, commanded by Gerardo de Cervellón, resulting in a French victory. Thirty Years War (1618-1648).

The identification of the scene portrayed in this print is given in the George III catalogue as the Battle of Leucate, 28 September 1637. The position of the battle in relation to the fortified walls and small settlement within, situated on the coast, with a larger town in the background, and the presence of windmills, is partly consistent with the position of the fort of Leucate in relation to Leucate itself. However, the lack of other identifying features, such as the inlet of water behind the fortress throws some doubt on the identity of the location. The ships to the right of the view appear to be flying a Dutch flag which, again, is inconsistent with the Battle of Leucate in which the Dutch took no part. This print is described, again, without a location being given, in François Bruillot, Dictionnaire des monogrammes, 1833, vol.2 (pp.299-300).