The Huguenot Bartholomew Dupuy and his descendants

introd . formed
78 EISE AND PKOGRESS OF HUGUENOTS.
French Clmrch. He accordingly paid
1625. little attention to the stipulations of the treaty
which the King had made with the Huguenots,
and provoked them to rebellion by all possible
means. In 1625, while the government was
involved in difficulties in Italy, the inhabit-
ants of La Rochelle prepared for war, trusting
to their strong fortifications and maritime
advantages. The Duke of Rohan commanded
their forces on land, and the Duke Saubize
their naval interests. The royal forces were
commanded by Marshal De Themines. The
royalists waged war lightly against La Rochelle,
but heavily in the southern provinces,
carrying desolation and terror among the
unwalled villages, while the Huguenots of
the middle and northern provinces were undis-
turbed. The naval force under Saubize beat
the royal marine in several engagements, and
Peace Richelieu with foreign complications brewing
^S^«^^' found himself under the necessity of offering
conditions of peace, in 1626, which it is said
the Huguenots refused to accept.
Richelieu's next move against the Huguenots
was to reduce La Rochelle. A powerful
army was raised, and marched against it,
Richelieu commanding. The Huguenots of
the stronghold defended themselves with great
fortitude and bravery for more than a 1626.
year,
during which length of time the population of
the city was reduced from 15,000 to less than
5,000 by famine and disease. But with ample
means and forces at Richelieu's command, the
resistance of the siege was in vain. Even
three fleets which the English induced Charles
I. to send to the relief of the city, had to return
without effecting their object. Finally, Richelieu,
having expended all his energy and