On the 1st of September 1612, the RÉGIMENT disembarked the transports in Languedoc and after a number of weeks, marched north to re-join the establishment of the Corps du Nord, arriving in Picardie, initially, on the 23rd of October. The surviving officers and soldiers of the previous campaign where then invited to a great reception in Amiens where the Duc de Normandie formally welcomed them and the RÉGIMENT back home. On the 26th of October, while celebrations were still underway, the RÉGIMENT was paraded on the grounds of the cathedral at Bayeaux where they were inspected by the Duc and presented with a new second, or Regimental, colour that encompassed the honours the RÉGIMENT had previously been awarded. A Royal warrant was issued at this same time, dated the 1st of July 1612, dictating the style, colours and presentations of the King’s and Regimental colours.
The first, or King’s, colour was to be of white silk quartered by a hollow gold cross, the Royal Embellishment of France in the centre, the upper dexter and lower sinister to be filled with Fleur-de-Lis of gold, the upper sinister and lower dexter to display the two Norman leopards passant gardant armed and langued azure respectively.
The second colour was to be of red silk with the Fleur-de-Lis in the upper dexter, ‘2E’ in the upper sinister; in the centre two lions passant gardant armed and langued azure, per the Duchy of Normandie’s Royal Establishment, surmounted by the King’s Crown, and the honours of Nantes/Rennes, Leon, Monte San Luis, Relief of Provence, Genoa and Yarous displayed equally either side in the lower canton.
On the 15th of December the King was pleased to convey to the troops the re-establishment of an alliance with the Kingdom of Great Britain where both great nations would come to the other’s aid in any act of aggression committed against them, notwithstanding any strategic offensive action that would benefit either nation. Meanwhile, the RÉGIMENT had resumed regular duties with the Corps du Nord and had been stationed at times near Dunkerque, Aire-sur-la-Lys, Lille and Douai between 1613 and 1617.
In anticipation of the war with Genoa, the Corps du Nord was ordered to Lyon near the border with France’s allies the Dukedom of Savoy, in June 1617 and, following the confirmation of safe passage, crossed the border on the 27th of July, arriving at the Italian city of Milan on the 27th of August. Marechal Michel de Chambly joined the Corps at this time before the formal declaration of war was made upon the Genoese for the conquest of the major trading port of Genoa itself on the 2nd of September. On the 9th of September, the RÉGIMENT crossed into Cremona with the Corps du Nord and immediately besieged the city of the same a few days later. The Corps du Sud was also involved in the war; they had mobilised at the same time and had invested Genoa on the 7th of September. Of note, Savoy and France’s other noble ally, the Republic of Venice, also declared a war of conquest upon Genoa which greatly upset the King.
Despite significant representations to the besieged, it was not until the 18th of June 1618 that the defenders of Cremona surrendered; the city of Genoa would hold out longer. Following the capture of Cremona, the RÉGIMENT marched immediately into Parma where the Genoese army had established a strong defensive position along the Po River. The Corps du Nord, numbering approximately 21,000 troops was ordered to sweep the Genoese from the field and the RÉGIMENT would play a gallant but bloody role in the battle.
Marechal de Chambly ordered temporary bridges constructed over the Po and entrenchments were also thrown up as the two armies maintained their posts. While the two confronted each other, frequent skirmishes occurred in the fields and vineyards, in which the RÉGIMENT took a conspicuous part. On one of these occasions a Capitaine from the RÉGIMENT was taken prisoner, who escaped from the enemy a few days afterwards, and brought information that the opposing General had left the Genoese army in consequence of indisposition. This opportunity was not to be missed, and Marcheal de Chambly ordered his legions forward, the RÉGIMENT forming a part of the centre of the line and the first to cross the Po.
As the soldiers began crossing, Genoese cannon commenced firing and a great many men were killed and wounded, some falling into the swollen river and were swept downstream. Owing to the great discipline and organisation of the 2E RÉGIMENT DE NORMANDIE, the Marquis de Vouilly was able to reform the RÉGIMENT and advance quickly as yet more, smaller calibre, cannon commenced firing upon them. The 2E was ably supported on both sides by regiments from Nevers and Bourgogne, and together the three continued their progress forward until well within musket range. A wall of smoke engulfed the Genoese line as they opened fire but their aim was characteristically high, failing to strike down but a few Frenchmen. The regiments gave their own fire and with a great cry, charged the Genoese. In a clash of steel, the two lines met and became locked together as each grappled for the upper hand. As men fell from both sides and neither appeared ready to depart the field, a second great cry went up from the RÉGIMENT’s right flank and in an instant the Genoese opposition faltered and gave way as a massed cavalry formation carried their flank. These were Savoyard horsemen who had marched overnight when word of the departure of the Genoese General had reached them. And a timely arrival too. While French reserves had not yet been committed, the RÉGIMENT itself was in a precarious position; nearly fivehundred officers and soldiers had been wounded or killed. Despite the losses, morale of the RÉGIMENT was high as they had again succeeded against significant odds.
With the Savoy forces pursuing the retreating Genoese, the Corps du Nord moved into position to commence the siege of Parma; the RÉGIMENT itself retiring to the rear and only providing small escort and security parties for foragers. The Genoese shortly hung out a white flag, and agreed to surrender, on the 13th of November; the garrison, consisting of six broken regiments, became prisoners of war. The Corps remained as garrison for the city and the surrounding area until the 1st of April 1619 when they were removed north to the German city-state of Baden, Genoa’s pathetic ally.
The RÉGIMENT was amongst the first to arrive beneath the walls of the city on the 3rd of June and shortly commenced construction of fortifications and entrenchments. After the completion of this service, they were replaced by the 3e Tours in August but returned once more to the trenches in December. A harsh winter set in, come January 1620 and a significant number of the Corps du Nord gave their lives in the freezing conditions, including 112 men from the RÉGIMENT. Despite an arrival of new recruits in April, the Corps du Nord had for too long engaged in a state of war and the weariness of the
soldiery was evident; the Guarde arrived and conducted a relief in place on 12th September and the Corps du Nord returned to Picardie for further rest and recuperation.
Following the eventual fall of Baden, the war was concluded on the 13th of March 1621 with possession of Genoa passing to France. Subsequent to this result, Savoy seized Cremona and Parma from the Genoese.
Between September 1620 and August 1621, the RÉGIMENT was removed to Lille, Amiens, Calais, Caen, Roubaix, Saint-Omer and Dunkerque as their general security and guard tasks continued.
The Dutch Republic of the Netherlands, owing much to quality and singularity of the French forces, declared war upon their enemy Austria on the 8th of August 1621 and once more called upon the King Louis XIII to support their claims upon the province of Hennegau in the Low Countries. The obligation to this satellite state being considered, the King acquiesced to the request and a state of war thus enlivened the Kingdom once more. Austria was supported by their own substantial allies, notably: the PolishLithuanian Commonwealth, the Kingdom of Naples, the Grand Duchy of Bohemia, the Duchy of Mantua and the Imperial Cities of Salzburg and Swabian Memmingen. This great force threatened to abolish the Dutch pretences for war and thus it was vital to seek the resolution of peace as quickly as possible.
The 2E RÉGIMENT DE NORMANDIE was ordered, with other Corps, for the province of Parma, crossing the Po River once again on the 6th of October. In this endeavour, the Corps du Sud and Guarde were combined into a great Army under the Duc de Lorraine and together with the Corps du Nord sought to do battle with the main Mantuan host encamped near Parma. 60,000 French soldiers entered the field against 34,000 Mantuan and Northern Italians on a day that would echo in the hearts of all French men and women for decades thereon. Despite the obvious differences in the composition of forces, it was the Mantuan army that would attack first.
The RÉGIMENT was posted on the right of the French army, where a slight entrenchment had been made during the preceding night. As the first rays of morning light appeared in the horizon, waving masses of glittering arms, traversing the undulating grounds in front, gave indication of an approaching enemy, when the artillery opened a heavy fire, and the battle began. For some time, the RÉGIMENT was a spectator of the action, while much fighting took place at smaller villages and positions; the fortune of the day was everywhere in favour of the French; but eventually the position was forced at the village of Costa Mezzana and the French cavalry was forced to retire.
Heavy columns of pikemen and arquebusiers, flanked by cavalry, and preceded by a cloud of grenadiers, approach the ground where the 2E RÉGIMENT DE NORMANDIE was posted. The Marquis de Vouilly was at the head of the RÉGIMENT, and directed the men to reserve their fire until the near approach of their opponents. As the Mantuan soldiers sprang forward with their characteristic energy, and threw a shower of hand-grenades over the breast-work, a well-directed volley from the RÉGIMENT rent chasms in the Mantuan ranks; but the survivors, being supported by an immense superiority of numbers in this place, and urged forward by their Serjeants and Capitaines, renewed the attack; while the General led a chosen body of men to the charge, and forced the right of the entrenchment.
The RÉGIMENT, and other Corps at this part of the field, were attacked in front and flank and a sanguinary conflict ensued. The Marquis de Vouilly was carried from the field wounded, yet the Normans stood their ground; ranks of opponents ascended the breast-work, and were speedily cut down or forced back. At length the French battalions were overpowered and driven for their ground. Stung with resentment at this disaster, and hearing of a fatal blow having been delivered on the enemy’s opposite flank, they speedily rallied, and, rushing sword, axe and halberd in hand upon their opponents, they once more regained the lost ground. A momentary pause ensued; but soon a fresh body of French regiments from the Guarde arrived and renewed the fight, overpowering the now inferior opponent.
The 2E RÉGIMENT DE NORMANDIE evinced the stern valour of French soldiers; their commanding officer, the Marquis de Vouilly, fell mortally wounded; Commandant de Grasse was removed bleeding to the rear; yet they disputed the ground with sanguinary tenacity until the Guarde had been committed. The loss of the RÉGIMENT on this occasion was very severe: the Marquis de Vouilly was an officer of distinguished merit, and Lieutenants d’Eu, des Vaux and Folet were also killed; Capitaine Falaise died of his wounds: among the wounded were Commandant de Grasse, Capitaines Malet, le Despensier and de Hodenc; the loss in non-commissioned officers and private soldiers was very great; but the exact number has not been ascertained.
Following the Battle of Parma, and despite the losses sustained, the RÉGIMENT was ordered to besiege the great fortress at Ferrara. While the Marquis de Vouilly had passed away in the days following the battle, the Duc de Lorraine chose not to appoint a new Colonel but instead led the troops himself. The 2E RÉGIMENT DE NORMANDIE was detached from the main army and pitched their tents at Sant’ Agostino, a post about five miles from the fortress town on the 1st of November.
On the 9th of November they were on duty in the trenches; on the 11th they marched into the lines of circumvallation, and in the evening of the same day a detachment was engaged in a successful attack against the covered way upon the hill of Uccelino. The attack was made about seven in the evening; and such were the spirit and energy with which the French soldiers rushed upon their opponents, that the palisades were speedily broken down – the covered way carried – the Mantuans overpowered and chased among the works, many of them throwing themselves into stone pits to escape the fury of their assailants.
This success stimulated the soldiers to fresh exertions, and on the 19th of November, when the 2E RÉGIMENT DE NORMANDIE were directed to take part in the storming of the counterscarp, they engaged in this service with a cheerful alacrity, which proved the ardour which glowed in every breast. The grenadiers led the assault, and, rushing to the glacis, cast their grenades over the palisades into the covered way. Following up this attack with spirit, the Mantuans were overpowered, the counterscarp was carried in gallant style, and the Normans were thanked by Duc de Lorraine for their distinguished bravery. They had Lieutenant Wadard killed and Capitaine Silvestre wounded; also a number of private soldiers killed and wounded. The artillery train arrived in mid-December and a few days later the French Mediterranean Fleet arrived off the coast to commence a blockade. The siege was prosecuted with vigour and with such success that before the end of January 1622 the fortress and township was delivered up.
The Corps du Nord then marched into Romagna and occupied a number of towns and villages; the RÉGIMENT went into quarters at Sassuolo to rest on the 12th of March. On the 14th of May a welcome body of reinforcements arrived bringing the strength of the RÉGIMENT back to 761 officers and men. Major-Chef Pierre de Grasse, having recovered from his wounds suffered at the Battle of Parma, was promoted Colonel and given command of the RÉGIMENT with a commission dated the 21st of May 1622. The RÉGIMENT remained in Romagna, at various posts, until the 10th of November when they removed to the siege of Arezzo, arriving outside the city on the 2nd of December. The RÉGIMENT took their turn in the entrenchments later in the month and again in January 1623 but a series of attacks against the walls failed to dislodge the defenders.