Treaty signed between Queen Elizabeth I and French Huguenots for English military aid
This treaty committed English troops to occupy Le Havre and Dieppe in exchange for supporting French Huguenots, with Elizabeth seeking to reclaim Calais.
Key Facts
- Date Signed
- 22 September 1562
- English Troops Deployed
- 3,000 troops
- Ports Occupied
- Le Havre and Dieppe
- Le Havre Surrendered
- 28 July 1563
- Also Known As
- Treaty of Richmond
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
French Huguenots, led by Louis I de Bourbon, prince de Condé, sought English military and economic support during the French Wars of Religion. Elizabeth I saw an opportunity to recover Calais, lost to France in 1558, by aiding Protestant forces in exchange for control of key Channel ports.
On 22 September 1562, Elizabeth I and Condé concluded the Treaty of Hampton Court, brokered by François de Beauvais. England agreed to deploy 3,000 troops to occupy Le Havre and Dieppe and provide economic aid to the Huguenots. In return, Elizabeth anticipated using Le Havre as leverage to reclaim Calais.
After peace was restored in France, Elizabeth refused to evacuate Le Havre, claiming it as compensation for Calais. Catherine de' Medici united Catholic and Huguenot forces against the English garrison, which surrendered on 28 July 1563. Feeling betrayed by the Huguenots, Elizabeth declined to aid them again, including during the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre of 1572.
Political Outcome
England occupied Le Havre temporarily but was expelled in 1563; Elizabeth failed to recover Calais and permanently lost trust in the Huguenots.
Huguenots sought foreign support to counter Catholic forces in France
English forces briefly held Le Havre; ejected after Franco-Huguenot reconciliation, leaving England without Calais or influence