Sieges of Boulogne

Significance

The Sieges of Boulogne formed part of the Italian War of 1542–46, in which England under Henry VIII committed a substantial force of 40,000 troops against a French garrison recorded at 2,000. The presence of Henry VIII alongside senior commanders the Duke of Suffolk and the Duke of Norfolk indicates the operation carried considerable weight within English strategic priorities during the conflict. On the French side, Henry II and Gaspard II de Coligny were associated with the engagement, pointing to French efforts to contest or recover the position. The disparity in recorded force sizes suggests the English held a pronounced numerical advantage in the siege operations.

Forces & casualties

Commanders (5)