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How did Richelieu blockade La Rochelle from both land and sea?
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Cardinal Richelieu
As both statesman and churchman, Cardinal Richelieu was the acknowledged architect of France's greatness in the 17th century. In 1640, when this full-length portrait was painted (likely by Philippe de Champaigne), he was embroiled in a dispute with the pope and other religious controversies along with many other consequences of expanding French power across Europe. He would die two years later, facing conspiracies against his life and suffering ill health.
To blockade La Rochelle during the 1627â28 siege, Cardinal Richelieu employed a two-pronged strategy to isolate the city from both land and sea:
- Land Blockade: Richelieu oversaw the construction of 9 miles (14.5 km) of entrenchments surrounding the city. These fortifications were reinforced with various forts and redoubts, effectively cutting off all land access to La Rochelle.1
- Sea Blockade: To prevent English fleets from providing relief to the city, Richelieu ordered the construction of a massive seawall across the channel leading to the port. This barrier successfully blocked maritime access, forcing the city to endure a prolonged siege that ultimately led to its surrender due to famine and disease.12