The Battle of Blenheim, 13 August 1704

Engraving after J Godefroy, published by J Pass, 1 November 1796.

On 13 August 1704, the Duke of Marlborough engaged Marshal Tallard's Franco-Bavarian army at Blenheim. Marlborough used his British infantry to attack the French right wing, drawing enemy reinforcements away from the centre. He then smashed through the weakened French centre with a large force of cavalry. At the cost of 12,000 men, Marlborough had inflicted a crushing defeat on the Franco-Bavarians who suffered about 35,000 casualties, including 14,000 prisoners. Bavaria was knocked out of the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714).