The Failed Navarrese-French Invasion and the Battle of Noáin (1521)

In 1521, Henry d'Albret, the eighteen-year-old King of Navarre, attempted to reclaim his kingdom, which had been invaded and annexed by Ferdinand II of Aragon in 1512. Although Henry was the nominal leader of the campaign, the French army provided the bulk of the troops, funding, and leadership, with André de Foix serving as the de facto commander.

However, despite initial victories, the French-Navarrese offensive ultimately collapsed, with the decisive Battle of Noáin (Esquiroz) on June 30, 1521, sealing the fate of Upper Navarre under Spanish rule.

The French-Navarrese Strategy and Initial Gains

• In early 1521, France launched a multi-front war against Spain, including an offensive along the Meuse River, which was supposed to draw Spanish forces away from the Pyrenees.
• Henry d'Albret and André de Foix led a French-Navarrese army into the Pyrenees, aiming to recapture Navarre and expel Spanish forces.
• Pamplona fell to the French on May 20, 1521, marking a significant initial success.

Spanish Counterattack and the Battle of Noáin (June 30, 1521)

• Spain quickly mobilized reinforcements, with Charles V sending troops under the command of Iñigo de Loyola and the Duke of Nájera.
• The Meuse offensive was driven back by Henry of Nassau, freeing Spanish forces to concentrate on Navarre.
• On June 30, 1521, at Esquiroz (near Noáin), the Spanish army decisively defeated the French-Navarrese force.
  • The French suffered heavy casualties, and their entire army was routed.
  • André de Foix was captured, further demoralizing the Navarrese resistance.

Aftermath: The End of Navarrese Independence

• With the defeat at Noáin, Spanish troops swiftly recaptured all of Upper Navarre.
• Henry d'Albret fled to Lower Navarre, which remained independent under French protection.
• The dream of restoring an independent Navarre south of the Pyrenees was effectively shattered, as Castilian rule was now cemented in Upper Navarre.

Conclusion: A Final Attempt at Restoration Fails

The French-backed invasion of Navarre in 1521 was the last serious attempt to reclaim the kingdom from Spanish control. Although briefly successful in retaking Pamplona, the defeat at the Battle of Noáin on June 30, 1521, ensured that Upper Navarre remained permanently part of the Crown of Castile, while Lower Navarre continued as an independent French-aligned kingdom.