Won By The Sword

by

G. A. Henty


In 1636, France entered the side of Sweden in the 30 Years' War.

The French were greatly encouraged by the many victories of the Swedes over the imperialists. Cardinal Richelieu concluded an alliance with Sweden to help the Protestant states of Germany.

One of the most decisive French victories was the Battle of Battle in 1643, in which French forces soundly defeated the imperialists.

Cardinal Richelieu (1585-1642).

Cardinal Richelieu (1585-1642).
Prime Minister from 1624 to 1642.

The French were greatly encouraged by the many victories of the Swedes over the imperialists.

Cardinal Richelieu concluded an alliance with Sweden to help the Protestant states of Germany.

The French won many victories, and finally the war was ended with the Peace of Westphalia in 1648.

 

Battle of Rocroi in 1643 in which French forces soundly defeated the imperialists.

Battle of Rocroi in 1643 in which French forces soundly defeated the imperialists.

The Spanish infantry soldiers were brave, fanatical papists, and feared throughout the entire world. The English did not dare let them get close enough to board their ships. With only 400 men, Cortez conquered the entire Aztec empire in Mexico:

"It was at the battle of Rocroi in 1643 that the Spanish were beaten and the young Duke of Enghien bravely distinguished himself. The story of this glorious day and the history of this fortified star-shaped town are told in the museum. The star shape dates from 1555 and was adapted by Vauban in 1675 (abcoffrance.com)".

The bloodbath at Rocroi left no remnant to build from. The TERCIOS were gone. There was no one left even to train replacements. They did not lose their reputation, they remained formidable troops to the end, but they died to keep it. The fact is old powerful Spain had died with them. The mantle of supremacy passed to the French. The French, when their 5-year old monarch achieved his majority, would begin their own "splendid century" under the leadership of the "Sun King", Louis XIV.

In this historical novel by G. A. Henty, our hero colonel Campbell, rescues a beautiful Irish maiden from a mob of imperialists. They fall in love, marry and eventually settle in England. That is a great example of the UNITED KINGDOM!!

Front Cover

page 1

page 2

page 3

page 4

page 5

page 6

page 7

page 8

page 9

page 10

page 11

page 12

page 13

page 14

page 15

page 16

age 17

page 18

page 19

page 20

page 21

page 22

page 23

page 24

page 25

page 26

page 27

page 28

page 29

page 30

page 31

page 32

page 33

page 34

page 35

page 36

page 37

page 38

page 39

page 40

page 41

page 42

page 43

page 44

page 45



Vital Links

Battle of Rocroi

Books by G. A. Henty from PrestonSpeed Publications.