The Siege of La Rochelle, a pivotal event in the French Wars of Religion, lasted from September 1627 to October 1628. La Rochelle was a major Huguenot stronghold, strategically important for the Protestants in France, who resisted the Catholic monarchy led by King Louis XIII and his chief minister, Cardinal Richelieu. The siege itself was part of Richelieu's broader campaign to eradicate Protestant influence and restore royal authority throughout the kingdom. Encompassing land and naval forces, Richelieu's strategy involved blockading the city by sea, significantly hampering the Huguenot's ability to receive reinforcements or supplies. The dire conditions imposed by the siege led to severe food shortages and disease among the defenders and inhabitants of the city.Despite their resilience, after fourteen months of relentless pressure, the defenders of La Rochelle ultimately surrendered on October 28, 1628. The terms of surrender granted the Protestants certain rights but marked a substantial loss for the Huguenots and diminished their political power in France. The fall of La Rochelle served as a beacon for the royalist cause and solidified Richelieu's reputation as a master strategist and a pivotal figure in French history. The end of the siege heralded an era of intensified persecution against Huguenots, cementing Catholic hegemony in France for decades to come.