A very murdering year: The Duke of Marlborough’s 1709 campaign and the experience of battle at Malplaquet

Johnstone, Callum Andrew (2018). A very murdering year: The Duke of Marlborough’s 1709 campaign and the experience of battle at Malplaquet. University of Birmingham. M.A.

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Abstract

The Battle of Malplaquet, fought on 11 September 1709, was the last of the Duke of Marlborough's four major battles that took place during the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714). The British historiography surrounding the war has often centered on the martial prowess of Marlborough and he is often ranked amongst the foremost commanders in British history. Malplaquet, however, was a battle in which he lost twice as many men as his French opponents. This thesis provides a detailed reassessment of Marlborough's performance · during the indecisive 1709 campaign, which historians have often down played at the expense of the victories of Blenheim and Ramilles, and analyses: the initial plans for the campaign, command and control at the siege of Tournai, why the decision to fight at Malplaquet was taken, as well the plan and conduct of the battle itself. The final chapter moves away from the 'great captain' approach to history and assesses the experience of battle and general performance of the troops who fought at Malplaquet, in order to a certain the impact that the decision to fight the battle had on the common soldier and to establish why it proved to be the bloodiest battle of the war.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Masters by Research > M.A.)

Award Type:

Masters by Research > M.A.

Supervisor(s):