# Battle of Rocroi (1643)

URL: https://history-france.com/timeline/1643-battle-of-rocroi
Location: Rocroi
Categories: battle

The French army under the Duke of Enghien defeated Spain’s Army of Flanders. Within the broader Bourbon & Ancien Régime period, Bourbon France became a leading European power through stronger royal government, global expansion, war and court culture. Fiscal strain, social privilege and Enlightenment criticism accumulated beneath the apparent strength of the Ancien Régime. At this point in the timeline, the relevant governing authority is Louis XIV (King of France). Battle of Rocroi mattered because it changed the military or territorial balance and influenced the political choices that followed. The event is positioned here so visitors can read it alongside changes in government, warfare, society, religion, culture and France’s wider international setting.

## Why it matters
Battle of Rocroi mattered because it changed the military or territorial balance and influenced the political choices that followed.

Ruler at the time: [Louis XIV](https://history-france.com/rulers/louis-xiv)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia topic lookup — Battle of Rocroi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=Battle+of+Rocroi&go=Go)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Battle of Rocroi](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Battle+of+Rocroi)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of French history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_French_history)