1. Blenheim, August 13, 1704 War of the Spanish Succession
John Churchill, the Duke of Marlborough
Prince Eugene
Battle of Blenheim
Battle of Malplaquet

2. Spain’s Charles II died childless in 1701
France’s Louis XIV claimed Spanish throne because he was the eldest son of Charles’s eldest sister
Austria’s Leopold I claimed the throne because he was Charles’s eldest nephew
England and Holland opposed union of the French and Spanish thrones

3. Marlborough’s Way of War
Seek decisive battle in an age of sieges and “limited” war
Two wheeled carts move supplies
Advance depots
Brought gold to buy supplies
“Deserters” who spread misinformation
Saxony’s Prince Eugene, once told by Louis XIV to become a priest

5. WIND DIRECTION

6. Consequences of Blenheim
Tallard: “I hope your grace is aware that he has had the honor to defeat the best troops in the world?”
Marlborough: “Your lordship excepts, I presume, those who have had the honour to beat them?”
Massive victory for outnumbered English
Triumph of disciplined infantry, educated artillerymen
Cavalry used in exploitation role
But no end to the war

8. Malplaquet, 1709
Same general plan as at Blenheim, but French more prepared
French lost 4,500 KIA and Allies lost 6,500 KIA
Then the bloodiest battle in European history

9. Peace of Utrecht, 1709
Bourbon Philip V becomes King of Spain, but thrones of Spain and France can never be united
Britain received Gibraltar, Minorca, Newfoundland, and Acadia
Austria received Spanish Netherlands (Belgium)

10. Marlborough’s Legacy
And birthplace of his most famous descendent
Blenheim Castle, given to Marlborough as his pension gift