War of the Spanish Succession [1701-1714]

The Battle of Höchstädt, better known in the English-speaking world as the Battle of Blenheim, is one of the most important battles of the War of the Spanish Succession. It took place on 13 August 1704, after the forces of the Franco-Bavarian alliance had, through their hesitation, missed both the opportunity to invade the hereditary lands of the Austrian Habsburgs and the chance to crush the various fighting formations of the anti-French coalition, allowing their enemies to unite. The battle ended in a crushing defeat for the French and the control of Bavaria by the anti-French coalition.

At the end of the 17th century, the question of succession to the childless Charles II came to the attention of European rulers. The confiscation of the Spanish heritage would upset the balance on the European continent ...

Legend has it that Marie Antoinette once heard a nurse sing the song "Malbroug s´en va t´en guerre" to a little dauphin. She then became a hit all over all Versailles and Beumarchais used it in the play "The Marriage of Figaro".

1702 - 1713, War of the Spanish Succession.

Queen Anne's War: The War of the Spanish Succession 1702-1713