Surprise of Meaux
| Surprise of Meaux | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the French Wars of Religion | |||||||
Image of the Surprise of Meaux in progress by unknown artist (1577) | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| French Huguenot forces | Royalists | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Louis I de Bourbon, prince de Condé | Filippo di Piero Strozzi | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 1,500 | 6,000 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Unknown | Unknown | ||||||
The surprise of Meaux (La surprise de Meaux) was a failed coup attempt by leading aristocratic Huguenots which precipitated the second French War of Religion. Dissatisfied with their lot, and under the pretext of fear of extermination, Louis, Prince of Condé and Gaspard II de Coligny plotted to seize the king, Charles IX, while he was staying near Meaux. Alerted by the mustering of the Huguenots, the royal court made a dash for Paris, fighting off attempts to break through to them en route. Their plan foiled, the Huguenots laid siege to the city, beginning the second war. The event would be of lasting importance in the reputation it gave its architects for sedition.