On June 7, 1639, a Spanish and Imperial

Holy Roman Empire

The Holy Roman Empire was a realm that existed from 962 to 1806 in Central Europe.It was ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor. Its character changed during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period, when the power of the emperor gradually weakened in favour of the princes...

 relief column under Ottavio Piccolomini lifted the siege lines around Thionville and destroyed the besieging French army under the Marquis de Feuquieres

Isaac Manasses de Pas, Marquis de Feuquieres

Isaac Manasses de Pas, Marquis de Feuquieres was a French soldier.He came of a distinguished family of which many members held high command in the civil wars of the 16th century. He entered the Royal army at the age of thirty, and soon achieved distinction...

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Aftermath

Feuquières, wounded in the fighting, was captured by the Imperial forces and died in captivity. In recognition of his victory, Piccolomini was created Duke of Amalfi by the Spanish Crown June 28.

In 1643 the Duc d'Enghien

Louis II de Bourbon, Prince de Condé

Louis de Bourbon, Prince of Condé was a French general and the most famous representative of the Condé branch of the House of Bourbon. Prior to his father's death in 1646, he was styled the Duc d'Enghien...

 capitalised on his victory at Rocroi

Battle of Rocroi

The Battle of Rocroi was fought on 19 May 1643, late in the Thirty Years' War. It resulted in a victory of the French army under the Duc d'Enghien, against the Spanish army under General Francisco de Melo.-Prelude:...

by pushing on to Thionville, which fell after a stubborn defence by the Spanish garrison.