Today's anniversary.
From
here
Engraving by J Pass after Godefroy, published 1797.
In 1706 King Louis XIV of France wanted to avenge the defeats
inflicted on him in 1704 by the Grand Alliance during the War of the
Spanish Succession (1702-1713). Marshal Villeroi was therefore pushed
into leaving the safety of the lines of Brabant and crossed the River
Dyle with 60,000 men. On 23 May 1706, the Duke of Marlborough attacked
him at Ramillies. Marlborough put pressure on the enemy left wing,
causing the French to reinforce it with troops from their centre and
right. He then shifted his reserves to the right. After a close-fought
cavalry battle, in which Marlborough himself led a counter-charge, the
French were routed. They lost 18,000 men to Marlborough's 3,600. The
victory enabled Marlborough to drive the French from almost the whole of
the Spanish Netherlands.
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