Editing Prince Rupert of the Rhine (section)

===Service in the French army===

Rupert first travelled to the Royal court in exile at [[Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye|St Germain]] but found it still dominated by the [[Henrietta Maria of France|Queen]] and her favourite, Rupert's enemy Digby.<ref name="Spencer, p.180">Spencer, p. 180.</ref> Instead, Rupert moved on, accepting a well paid commission from [[Anne of Austria]] to serve Louis XIV as a ''[[Brigadier general (France)|mareschal de camp]]'', subject to Rupert being free to leave French service to fight for King Charles, should he be called upon to do so.<ref name="Spencer, p.180"/> In 1647, Rupert fought under Marshal [[Jean de Gassion]] against the Spanish. After a three-week siege, Rupert took the powerful fortress of [[La Bassée]] through quiet negotiations with the enemy commander—an impressive accomplishment, and one that won him favour in French court circles.<ref>Spencer, p. 186.</ref> Gassion and Rupert were ambushed shortly afterwards by a Spanish party; during the resulting fight, Rupert was shot in the head and seriously injured. Afterwards, Gassion noted: "Monsieur, I am most annoyed that you are wounded." "And me also," Rupert is recorded as replying.<ref name=SpencerP187>Spencer, p. 187.</ref> Gassion was himself killed shortly afterwards, and Rupert returned to St Germain to recuperate.<ref name=SpencerP187/>