The French Fury was a failed attempt by François, Duke of Anjou to conquer the city of Antwerp by surprise on January 17 1583.

During the Eighty Years' War the States-General had asked in 1581 the French Duke to become head of state of the Seventeen Provinces, to obtain French support in chasing the Spanish troops.

Anjou hadn't much influence in the Netherlands, and attempted to sieze more power. He decided to try to occupy by surprise Antwerp, the largest city of the Seventeen Provinces.

But his plan was uncovered. The inhabitants, still traumatised by the Spanish Fury seven years earlier, were determined to prevent the occupation by foreign troops by all means possible.

On January 18 1583, in an attempt to fool the citizens of Antwerp, Anjou asked to be permitted to enter the city in order to honor them with a parade. As soon as the troops entered the city, the gates of Antwerp were slammed shut behind them. The French troops were trapped in the city and were bombarded from windows and rooftops with stones, rocks, logs and even heavy chains. Then, the city's garrison opened deadly, point-blank fire on the troops. Only a few Frenchmen, including the Duke of Anjou, escaped. Over 1500 troops perished, eventually hacked to death by the enraged citizens of Antwerp.

The position of Anjou after this attack became impossible to hold, and he eventually left the country in June. His departure also discredited William the Silent, who had always supported Anjou.