Montmorency was a leading military commander in the French Wars of Religion. On 19 April 1562, Catherine de Medici concerned over rising Huguenot influence, summoned the Triumvirate. Montmorency petitioned the nuncio for money and troops, although at Catherine's insist, the Triumvirate wrote to Philip II appealing for Spanish military support. By June 1562, Montmorency and the Triumvirate's Catholic army were near Jargeau facing Conde's Huguenot army. After some strategic maneuvering by both Catholic and Huguenot armies around Orleans and Blois, minor skirmishing broke out while Montmorency engaged in deceptive negotiations. At the Battle of Dreux on 19 December 1562, the only major battle of the war, he was captured early when the cavalry under him was routed. Montmorency's soldiers eventually won the battle, but it was one of the bloodiest of the 16th century.