Slag bij Saint-Denis, 1567 c. 1567 - 1571

This engraving by Frans Hogenberg depicts the Battle of Saint-Denis in 1567. It’s a bird’s eye view of a conflict during the French Wars of Religion. The image is filled with serried ranks of soldiers, bristling with spears and swords. The clash at Saint-Denis was between Catholics and Huguenots, the protestant reformers. It took place just outside Paris, and Hogenberg was working in a tradition of printmaking that provided news and commentary on contemporary events. Prints like this were often commissioned by partisan groups. They served as propaganda, shaping public opinion through a powerful combination of visual and textual elements. The battle itself was indecisive, but claimed the life of the Catholic commander, Anne de Montmorency. To fully understand the print’s social and political impact, we need to delve into archives, pamphlets, and other primary sources. These can reveal the complex dynamics of religious conflict in 16th-century France. Historical research can expose the ways images like this participated in shaping perceptions and solidifying identities during a turbulent period.