Battle of Malplaquet
Near Taisnières-sur-Hon, Nord, France
What happened
The Grand Alliance of Britain, the Dutch Republic and the Holy Roman Empire, under the Duke of Marlborough and Prince Eugene, fought the French army of Marshal Villars and Marshal Boufflers. During the War of the Spanish Succession, the Allies were besieging the town of Mons, and Villars built defensive lines to stop them. The Allies attacked both French flanks, and a huge cavalry fight followed in the centre. In the afternoon the French retreated in good order, and the Allies were too exhausted to follow.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was a narrow Allied win with very heavy losses on both sides. By saving his army, Villars helped France win better peace terms at Utrecht in 1713.
What came next
Mons surrendered in October. In Britain the Tories won a landslide in the 1710 election, and in 1711 Britain secretly agreed to preliminary peace terms.
Did you know?
Swiss soldiers fought on both sides at Malplaquet, six battalions for France and eight for the Dutch.
Timeline
- 11 September 1709The Allies win a narrow victory at Malplaquet.
- 21 October 1709Mons surrenders.
- October 1710The Tories win the British election.
- 1713The Peace of Utrecht is signed.