The Spanish won a significant victory over the French in the Battle of San Quentin (1557) during the Franco-Habsburg War (1551-1559), which Philip II of Spain resumed having gained English support with Queen Mary as an ally.

The battle took place on the Feast Day of St. Lawrence (August 10th). At the Battle of St. Quentin the French forces under Marshal de Montmorency were overwhelmed and Montmorency was captured by the Spanish forces under the command of the Duke Emmanuel Philibert of Savoy in an alliance with English troops, and the French were defeated.

After the victory over the French at St. Quentin, 'the sight of the battlefield gave him (Philip) a permanent distaste for war', he declined to pursue his advantage, withdrawing to the Netherlands. The Treaty of Cateau-Cambresis ended the war.

The year 1557 began disastrously for the Catholic 'Bloody' Queen Mary and her husband Phillip of Spain who had brought England into his father's war against France, disregarding his marriage treaty by which England was meant to remain neutral even if Philip's other dominions were at war.

The English army under the William Herbert, 1st Earl of Pembroke did not arrive in time for the battle, but played a significant role in the capture of the city that followed.

Pembroke was Mary's most effective commander at the battle of St Quentin, when he led the English contingent to victory that included among the officers such former reformists as Lord Bray, Sir Peter Carew, Sir Nicholas Throckmorton and the surviving sons of the duke of Northumberland; Ambrose and Lord Robert Dudley.

John Dudley, the son of Northumberland, had died not long after he left the Tower and his three surviving brothers were pardoned for their recorded treasons in January, 1555 and so duly served the Queen and King Philip on the St Quentin expedition, where Henry Dudley was killed and his remaining brothers won the restoration of their honour and titles.