Battle of Gravelines ( 1558 ) The Battle of Gravelines was fought on 13 July 1558 at Gravelines , near Calais , France . It occurred during the twelve - year war between France and Spain ( 1547 – 1559 ) . The battle resulted in a victory by the Spanish forces , led by Lamoral , Count of Egmont , over the French , led by Marshal Paul de Thermes . The Spanish were supported by the English Navy , who opened fire on the French as they reached the sand dunes at Gravelines . Following the dominance of the Spanish forces , led by Duke Emmanuel Philibert of Savoy , at the Battle of San Quentin , Henry II of France prepared his revenge . He recruited a new army in Picardy , which he put in the hands of Louis Gonzaga , Duke of Nevers . He asked the Ottoman Sultan for naval support and encouraged the Scots to invade England from the north . Francis , Duke of Guise , seized the port of Calais from the English and moved to the city of Thionville ( on the border between Flanders and France ) , a city that had been overtaken by the duke ' s army on 22 June 1558 . Marshall de Thermes invaded with another army consisting of 12 , 000 infantry and 2 , 000 cavalry , armed with a considerable amount of artillery . After crossing the Aa River at its mouth , de Thermes commandeered his army to conquer both Dunkirk and Nieuwpoort , consequently threatening Brussels . It is reported that a Spanish army was to later intercept the duke ' s army at the Aa River . Development of the battle . The Duke of Savoy and Philip met an army of 15 , 000 infantry and 3 , 000 cavalry , giving the command to the Earl of Egmont . Surprised by the speed of the Spanish maneuver , Termes had to do battle because he had the river behind him , the sea on his left , and his right completely blocked by the baggage column of his own army . He deployed his army on the left bank of the river , creating a double line with the cavalry and artillery in one row and the infantry in a second row behind them . Sighting the French positions , Egmont placed his troops in a crescent , with the light cavalry on the flanks and the Spanish troops , together with the German and Flemish units , in the center . The French used their artillery , and a chaotic battle was fought between the cavalry of both sides . The Spanish arquebusier s , who were better armed and trained , peppered the French cavalry . They then shot at the infantry sheltered behind the baggage train , creating great confusion among the French ranks . Egmont , at the head of his horsemen , decided to attack the French center with his cavalry . Biscay and English ships bombarded the French rear , causing numerous casualties . The outcome of the battle could not have been worse for the French : only 1 , 500 men had managed to flee ; the rest lay dead or were taken prisoner . The lord of Thermes was taken prisoner . The French were forced to retreat to the border . After this defeat and the loss at the Battle of St . Quentin ( 1557 ) , Henry II of France was forced to make peace with Philip II in the Peace of Cateau - Cambresis of 1559 . It was because of this treaty that Felipe II married Isabella of Valois , daughter of Henry , while Emmanuel Philibert , Duke of Savoy married Margaret of France , Duchess of Berry , sister of Henry and daughter of King Francis I of France .