at the beginning of the war , the french army of the rhine was routed in northern alsace .

at the same time , the defenders ' morale was lowered Cause_change_of_position_on_a_scale by news of the annihilation of the army of UNK at sedan and the encirclement of the army of the rhine in metz .

by the terms of the treaty of ryswick ( 1697 ) louis xiv retained Preserving the whole of alsace but was forced Hostile_encounter to return lorraine to its ruler and give up Process_end any gains on the right bank of the rhine .