Battle in the War of the Spanish Succession, fought on 11 July 1708, in Belgium.
The Allied victory at Oudenarde in 1708 gave the Grand Alliance a decisive strategic advantage in the War of the Spanish Succession, securing key territories from French control.
Key Facts
- Date
- 11 July 1708
- Allied force size
- 80,000 men
- French force size
- 85,000 men
- Allied commanders
- Marlborough, Overkirk, Eugene of Savoy
- French commanders
- Duc de Bourgogne, Duc de Vendôme
- Marlborough's major victories in war
- 3rd major victory of the war
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The War of the Spanish Succession arose from English, Dutch, and Habsburg concern over Bourbon succession to the Spanish throne following the death of Charles II, which threatened to unite the French and Spanish crowns. The immediate trigger for the battle was the French capture of Allied-held Bruges and Ghent, followed by a French advance aimed at seizing Oudenaarde to sever Marlborough's supply and communication lines with England.
On 11 July 1708, an Anglo-Dutch force of 80,000 under Marlborough, Overkirk, and Eugene of Savoy engaged a French force of 85,000 under the Duc de Bourgogne and Duc de Vendôme near Oudenaarde. Allied cavalry routed French forward positions, a large French reserve was never committed to battle, and Marlborough executed a flanking manoeuvre that forced the French commanders to withdraw with mounting casualties.
The Grand Alliance's victory at Oudenarde yielded a significant strategic and tactical advantage, leading to the fall of various French-held territories. The battle enhanced the military reputations of both Marlborough and Eugene of Savoy, and marked the third major Allied victory of the war, shifting momentum firmly toward the Grand Alliance in this phase of the conflict.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Duke of Marlborough, Lord Overkirk, Prince Eugene of Savoy.
Side B
1 belligerent
Duc de Bourgogne, Duc de Vendôme.