Monday 15 December 2008

Marlbrough s'en va-t-en guerre

Next year sees the tercentenary of the great Pyrrhic victory of the Allied army - Malplaquet. Supposedly the 18th centuries bloodiest battle it also gave rise to the century's biggest songs. Apparently based on a false rumour that Marlborough was killed in the action this folk song was revived in the 1780s when it became a rage - read the Wiki on this famous song here - it's fascinating stuff.

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