High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The Siege of Calais of 1596, also known as the Spanish conquest of Calais, took place between 8 April and 24 April 1596, as part of the Franco-Spanish War (1595-1598), in the context of the French Wars of Religion, the Anglo-Spanish War (1585–1604), and the Eighty Years` War. The city fell into Spanish hands after a short siege by the Spanish forces commanded by Albert VII, Archduke of Austria and Governor-General of the Spanish Netherlands. The citadel of Calais resisted few days more, but finally the Spanish troops, led by Don Luis de Velasco y Velasco, Count of Salazar, captured the strength by storm. The Spanish success was the first action of the first campaign of Archduke Albert.