Louis XIV's Marshals of France

For over 70 years, from 1643 to 1715, LouisXIV fought a series of increasingly bitter warswith the Dutch, the Spanish, the British andthe Austrians. During his long reign Francewas the foremost power in Europe and the kingused his military and economic strength toexpand French territory to the north into theLow Countries, to the Rhine, and south to thePyrenees. To enable this expansion, and defendit against the powerful armies that combinedto oppose him, he depended on a select groupof exceptional commanders - remarkable menclose to the throne, who held the prestigioustitle of Marshal of France. These are thedistinguished soldiers James Falkner focuses onin this perceptive and original study, and theircolourful careers and long-reaching campaignsgive us a fascinating insight into the Europeanwarfare of the period and into their relationshipwith their master, the Sun King. Among them are Turenne, the pre-eminentcommander of the early years of Louis'sreign; Luxembourg who never lost a battle;elegant Villeroi who confronted the Dukeof Marlborough at the Battle of Ramillies;Boufflers, famous for his defence of Lille; Villarswho remarkably outwitted and defeated PrinceEugene; Tallard, who endured catastrophe andcapture at the Battle of Blenheim; Berwick,James II's illegitimate son, the English Marshal;and brawling Vendôme who, though defeated atOudenarde, later triumphed against the Britishand Austrians in Spain. Their skill as commanders and their qualitiesof leadership during a turbulent era in Europeanhistory are a primary focus of James Falkner'sabsorbing book, but he also looks at themas remarkable and varied individuals whoexpressed the military spirit of their age.