The Battle of Lens 1648 (Paperback)

Alberto Raul Esteban Ribas

ISBN 10: 1804516813 / ISBN 13: 9781804516812

Published by Helion & Company, Solihull, 2025

About this Item

Paperback. The Battle of Lens marked the climax of a decade of war between France and Spain; the two contenders were exhausted, having fought in Spain, France, Flanders, Italy and Germany. The conflict would be settled in a pitched battle near the city of Lens, Flanders, in the summer of 1648. The Spanish had neutralised the Dutch for the campaign of 1648, so they prepared to launch a major offensive against the French, who had occupied important cities in Flanders for years. Thus, the new governor, Archduke Leopold William, brother of Emperor Ferdinand III of Habsburg, took charge of an army of almost 20,000 troops.The French were commanded by the Prince of Conde, who knew how to instil a spirit of resistance in his troops. The two armies carried out marches and countermarches to outwit their opponent and seize cities: Conde conquered Ypres, but the Archduke took Lens. Conde tried to rescue the city, but arrived too late. However, the campaign was not lost for France; the brilliant Conde decided to deploy his army on the plain to decide the campaign, its own prestige, and the fate of the war. AUTHOR: Alberto Raul Esteban Ribas is a historian and economist. He has studied a doctorate in military history. He is a specialist in the military history of Spain, from the 16th-17th centuries. He has written several books on Spanish battles and military expeditions, as well as numerous articles for Spanish and international magazines. His current line of research focuses on the study of the Spanish armies and campaigns of the second half of the 17th century, considered the period of Spanish decline, and analyzing the reasons for such a situation. 57 b/w illustrations, 6 b/w photos, 4 colour plates, 2 b/w maps Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9781804516812

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Battle of Lens 1648 (Paperback)
• Publisher: Helion & Company, Solihull
• Publication Date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1804516813
• ISBN 13: 9781804516812
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

The Battle of Lens marked the climax of a decade-long war between France and Spain. Both nations were exhausted after years of conflict across Spain, France, Flanders, Italy, and Germany. The struggle would culminate in a pitched battle near the city of Lens, Flanders, in the summer of 1648.

By 1648, the Spanish had neutralized the Dutch, allowing them to focus on a major offensive against the French, who had long occupied key cities in Flanders. The  newly appointed governor, Archduke Leopold William, brother of Emperor Ferdinand III of Habsburg, took command of an army of nearly 20,000 troops. Opposing him was the Prince of Condé, a skilled leader who inspired resilience in his forces.

Both armies engaged in strategic marches and counter marches, attempting to outmanoeuvre each other and capture key cities. Condé successfully took Ypres, but the Archduke seized Lens. Condé rushed to reclaim the city but arrived too late. However, all was not lost for France - ever the strategist, Condé boldly deployed his army on the open plain, determined to decide not only the fate of the campaign but also his own prestige and the outcome of the war.

About the Author

Alberto Raúl Esteban Ribas is a historian and economist. He has studied a doctorate in military history. He is a specialist in the military history of Spain, from the 16th-17th centuries. He has written several books on Spanish battles and military expeditions, as well as numerous articles for Spanish and international magazines. His current line of research focuses on the study of the Spanish armies and campaigns of the second half of the 17th century, considered the period of Spanish decline, and analyzing the reasons for such a situation.