The French under Francis, Duke of Guise,…
January 1558 CE
The French under Francis, Duke of Guise, take advantage of a weakened garrison and decayed fortifications to recapture Calais, held by the English since 1347.
When the French attack on January 1, 1558, they are able to surprise the English at the critical strongpoint of Fort Nieulay and the sluice gates, which could have flooded the attackers, remain unopened.
The French have thus deprived the English of their last Continental possession and restored, to some extent, French national pride.
The loss is regarded by Queen Mary I of England as a dreadful misfortune.
When she hears the news, she reportedly says, "When I am dead and opened, you shall find 'Philip' [her husband] and 'Calais' lying in my heart."
The region around Calais, known as the Calaisis, is renamed the Pays Reconquis ("Reconquered Country") in commemoration of its recovery by the French.
Use of the term is reminiscent of the Spanish Reconquista, with which the French are certainly familiar — and, since it occurs in the context of a war with Spain (Philip II of Spain is at this time Queen Mary's consort), might have been intended as a deliberate snub.
From this time, the Dutch speaking population is forced to speak French.
French armies now plunder Spanish possessions in the Low Countries.
Henry is forced nonetheless to accept a peace agreement in which he renounces any further claims to Italy.
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