Siege of Valenciennes (1676–1677)
The siege of Valenciennes took place from 28 February to 17 March 1677, during the Franco-Dutch War, when Valenciennes, then in the Spanish Netherlands, was attacked by a French army under the duc de Luxembourg.
Prise de Valenciennes, 17 mars 1677, oil on canvas by Jean Alaux, 1837, Galerie des batailles, Palace of Versailles
Valenciennes; the remains of the Citadel
François-Henri de Montmorency, duc de Luxembourg
François Henri de Montmorency-Bouteville, Duke of Piney-Luxembourg, commonly known as Luxembourg, and nicknamed "The Upholsterer of Notre-Dame", was a French general and Marshal of France. A comrade and successor of the Great Condé, he was one of the most accomplished military commanders of the early modern period and is particularly noted for his exploits in the Franco-Dutch War and War of the Grand Alliance. Not imposing physically, as he was a slight man and hunchbacked, Luxembourg was nonetheless one of France's greatest generals.
Le Duc de Piney-Luxembourg
Dutch engraving of Montmorency; in the background his troops massacre Dutch civilians