Monument to Henri II - Boulogne-sur-mer

This bronze bust was inaugurated on 17 August 1826. The monument was paid for by a prominent citizen of Boulonnais, Monsieur de Chaulaire.

It commemorates the purchase of the city of Boulogne sur Mer from the English in 1550. After 6 years of English occupation, the city of Boulogne sur Mer was returned to the Kingdom of France for the sum of 400,000 gold ecus .

1939 - 1945: the plinth was badly damaged during the Second World War. 1961: the plinth was rebuilt. It was designed by PA Dufétel and is less impressive in size.

In 1544, Boulogne suffered one of the most painful sieges in its history. The troops of the English king Henry VIII, who had not given up his continental possessions from the Plantagenets, bombarded the city mercilessly. The besieged Boulogne fell under the yoke of English rule , which lasted for six long years...

In 1549 and 1550, Henry II found himself again before Boulogne... And the campaign began with victories! On 26 August , Ambleteuse, an English outpost, was retaken , then Fort Blackness , at Cap Gris-Nez, then on the 29th Hardinghen , and on 1 September Fort Mont-Lambert, and on the 2nd Wimille! Burnt, the English tried to negotiate, but Henry refused and organised a strict blockade of Boulogne , both on land and at sea. Twice Henry refused Edward's offer to negotiate!
But, faced with disastrous climatic conditions, and with French troops also involved in Scotland, the King of France finally signed the Treaty of Outreau (or of Boulogne, or of Capécure in some versions) on 24 March 1550.

For 400,000 gold crowns, the first half paid immediately and the second on 15 August 1550, Boulogne regained its place in the kingdom of France after six years of English occupation! On 25 April, the English governor handed over the keys of the city to the French.
And by the same treaty, King Henry II also imposes, only temporarily, his indirect rule over Scotland...

Willem Vandenameele