Battle of Ivry

Battle of Ivry, military engagement March 14, 1590, between the numerically superior army of the Catholic League, commanded by Charles de Lorraine, the Duke of Mayenne, and the army of King Henry IV of France. The battle resulted in the rout of the armies of the Catholic League and the slaughter of many of Mayenne's German mercenaries. Henry's siege of Paris followed.

The Battle of Ivry was a part of the Wars of Religion, a civil war that raged between France’s Protestant Huguenots and Catholic minority during the 16th century. Before Henry III was assassinated in 1589, he had named Henry of Nevarre, a Huguenot, as his successor. From 1589 through 1594, Henry IV battled with the Duke of Mayenne for control of France. Mayenne had assumed a virtual kingship with his brother, Francois de Lorraine, prior to Henry IV’s ascension to power.