Editing Maastricht (section)

=== 16th to 18th centuries ===
[[File:1579 Siege of Maastricht - Aranjuez Palace.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Siege of Maastricht (1579)]] as depicted in the [[Palace of Aranjuez]]|200x200px]]
The strategic location of Maastricht at a major river crossing necessitated the construction of an array of fortifications around the city during this period. The Spanish and Dutch [[garrison]]s became an important factor in the city's economy. In 1579 the city was sacked by the Spanish army led by the [[Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma|Duke of Parma]] ([[Siege of Maastricht (1579)|Siege of Maastricht, 1579]]). For over fifty years the Spanish crown took over the role previously held by the dukes of Brabant in the joint sovereignty over Maastricht. In 1632 [[Capture of Maastricht|the city was conquered]] by Prince [[Frederick Henry, Prince of Orange|Frederick Henry]] of [[Principality of Orange|Orange]] and the Dutch [[Netherlands States-General|States General]] replaced the Spanish crown in the joint government of Maastricht. There was an attempt in 1634 of Spanish forces to [[Siege of Maastricht (1634)|recapture the city]], but to no avail.

Another [[Siege of Maastricht (1673)]] took place during the [[Franco-Dutch War]]. In June 1673, [[Louis XIV of France#Early wars in the Low Countries|Louis XIV]] laid siege to the city because French supply lines were being threatened. During this siege, [[Vauban]], the famous French military engineer, developed a new tactic in order to break down the strong fortifications surrounding Maastricht. His systematic approach remained the standard method of attacking fortresses until the 20th century. On 25 June 1673, while preparing to storm the city, captain-lieutenant [[Charles de Batz de Castelmore]], also known as the ''comte [[d'Artagnan]]'', was killed by a musket shot outside the Tongerse Poort. This event was embellished in [[Alexandre Dumas, père|Alexandre Dumas']] novel ''[[The Vicomte de Bragelonne]]'', part of the [[D'Artagnan Romances]]. French troops occupied Maastricht from 1673 to 1678.

In 1748 the French again conquered the city at what is known as the [[Siege of Maastricht (1748)|Second French Siege of Maastricht]], during the [[War of Austrian Succession]]. After each siege the city's fortifications were restored and expanded. The French revolutionary army failed to take the city in 1793 but a year later they succeeded. The condominium was dissolved and Maastricht was annexed to the [[French First Republic]], later the [[First French Empire]]. For almost twenty years (1795–1814/15) Maastricht was the capital of the French [[Département in France#Napoleonic Empire|département]] of [[Meuse-Inférieure]].