Marlborough's Sieges

This detailed and highly entertaining book tells of the extraordinary military achievement of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough who successfully conducted 26 formal sieges during the height of the War of the Spanish Succession. Rivalled by none, this astonishing record has, until now, been eclipsed by the Duke's great victories in open battle. For the first time a thoroughly researched account of these extensive and bitterly fought campaigns is provided, putting the sieges in the context of the Duke's wider campaigns and war aims, and giving the reader a thought-provoking analysis of his achievements in siege warfare, which parallel his victories in open battle. The scientific approach developed for use in siege warfare in the early 18th century is fully explored, along with an extensive assessment of the methods of the engineer genius, Sebastien le Prestre, Marshal Vauban, who was given the task of defending France's northern border by King Louis XIV. This fascinating book also includes detailed contemporary plans of Vauban's fortresses, captured by Marlborough.