Editing Calais (section)

===<FONT COLOR="#3366FF">'''16th Century'''</FONT>===
The end of English rule over Calais came on January 1, 1558 when the French, under Francis, Duke of Guise, took advantage of a weakened garrison and decayed fortifications to retake it. When the French attacked, they were able to surprise the English at the critical strongpoint of Fort Nieulay and the sluice gates, which could have flooded the attackers, remained unopened. After that time the Dutch speaking population was forced to speak French.

The town was captured by the Spain|Spanish in 1596 in an invasion mounted from the nearby Spanish Netherlands but it was returned to France under the Treaty of Vervins in 1598.