battle of Malplaquet

battle of Malplaquet , a major engagement in the War of the Spanish Succession (see Spanish Succession, War of the ). On Sept. 11, 1709, the combined forces of England and the Holy Roman emperor, led by the Duke of Marlborough and Prince Eugene of Savoy met the French army under Marshal Villars . Although the French were forced to retreat, the Anglo-imperial army, attacking strongly fortified positions, suffered more than 20,000 casualties, twice the number of French casualties. The battle was a strategic victory for France as it prevented an allied advance to Paris.

Malplaquet, Battle of a battle in 1709 during the War of the Spanish Succession, near the village of Malplaquet in northern France, on the border with Belgium. A force of allied British and Austrian troops under the Duke of Marlborough won a victory over the French.

Malplaquet, Battle of (11 September 1709) A battle fought in north-east France, close to the Belgian frontier, that saw MARLBOROUGH's last victory over the French in the War of the SPANISH SUCCESSION. Marlborough's invasion of France in 1709 was an attempt to make LOUIS XIV agree to the allies' harsh peace terms. Though Malplaquet was a victory, the losses of the combined forces of England and the Holy Roman Empire exceeded those of France and the invasion attempt was abandoned.