Fontaine-Française Bourgogne France

Don Juan Fernández de Velasco, 5th Duke of Frías (governor of the Duchy of Milan and Constable of Castile), crosses the Alps in early June 1595 with an army of twelve thousand men from Italy and Sicily.

He is joined in Besançon by Catholic League chief Charles of Mayenne.

Together they move on Dijon in order to take the city.

Warned of their movements, Henry IV races to Troyes with three thousand men that he is able to gather.

The battle takes place on June 5 at Fontaine-Française.

That morning, Henry IV had accompanied his scouts, who had encountered the Spanish troops by accident, and—as at the Battle of Eu the year before—Henry attacks them with light horse.

Against all odds, he surprises them and forces them to retreat temporarily.

Henry decides after this charge to recruit local residents (largely peasants) and to arm them with scythes and any metal object that might shine in the sunlight.

He regroups them on a hill with military troops, thus attempting to ruse the opposing force into believing he has a larger army.

Fernández de Velasco is meanwhile convinced that Henry is waiting for reinforcements, and observing the troop movements from afar, comes to believe that Henry's forces have superior numbers.

He decides to retreat.

The French royal victory marks an effective end to the Catholic League, although the Ninth War of Religion will not come to a complete end until the signing of the Peace of Vervins on May 2, 1598 and the Spanish ceding of captured French towns.