The Battle of Villaviciosa took place on December 10, 1710 in the War of the Spanish Succession, one day after the Battle of Brihuega . Charles II was the last Habsburg King of Spain. ... December 10 is the 344th day (345th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... // Events April 10 - The worlds first copyright legislation became effective, Britains Statute of Anne Ongoing events Great Northern War (1700-1721) War of the Spanish Succession (1702-1713) Births January 3 - Richard Gridley, American Revolutionary soldier (d. ... Madrid is the capital and largest city in Spain, as well as in the province and the autonomous community of the same name. ... Map of Dutch Republic by Joannes Janssonius The Republic of the Seven United Netherlands (Republiek der Zeven Verenigde Nederlanden/Provinciën; also Dutch Republic or United Provinces in short) was a European republic between 1581 and 1795, which is now known as the Netherlands. ... Louis Joseph, Duc de Vendôme on campaign, 1706. ... Charles II was the last Habsburg King of Spain. ... The Battle of Chieri was a battle of the War of the Spanish Succession that took place on September 1, 1701 between France and Austria. ... The Battle of Cremona was a battle of the War of the Spanish Succession that took place on February 1, 1702 between France and Austria. ... Combatants Austria France Commanders Eugene of Savoy Duc de Vendôme Strength 25,000 30,000 Casualties 2,500 4,000 {{{notes}}} Battle of Luzzara was battle of the War of the Spanish Succession. ... Combatants France Holy Roman Empire Commanders Claude-Louis-Hector de Villars Louis, Margrave of Baden-Baden Strength Casualties The Battle of Friedlingen was fought in 1702 between France and the Holy Roman Empire. ... The Battle of Vigo Bay, 23 October 1702 by Ludolf Bakhuizen, painted c. ... The Battle of Schellenberg was fought on 2 July 1704. ... Combatants England Austria United Provinces, Allies France Bavaria Commanders Duke of Marlborough Eugene of Savoy Camille de Tallard Maximilian II Emanuel Strength 52,000 60,000 Casualties 12,000 dead or wounded 15,000 dead or wounded 15,000 captured The Battle of Blenheim was a major battle of the... The Battle of Ramillies was a major battle in the War of Spanish Succession, May 23, 1706. ... The Battle of Turin took place on 7 September 1706 west of the city of Turin during the War of the Spanish Succession. ... Combatants Spain France Britain Portugal United Provinces Commanders Duke of Berwick Marquis de Ruvigny Strength 25,000 22,000 Casualties 3,500 dead or wounded 5,000 dead or wounded 12,000 captured The Battle of Almansa, fought on April 25, 1707, was one of the most decisive engagements of... The Battle of Oudenarde (or Audenaarde) was a key battle in the War of the Spanish Succession. ... The Battle of Malplaquet was a battle of the War of the Spanish Succession that took place on September 11, 1709 between France and a British–Austrian alliance (known as the Allies). ... Combatants France Spain Britain Commanders Louis Joseph de Vendôme James Stanhope Strength 20,000–24,000 16,000–18,000 (4,000 present) Casualties 1,000 dead 600 dead 3,400 wounded or captured The Battle of Brihuega took place on December 8, 1710 in the War of the... The Battle of Denain was fought on July 24, French victory under General Villars against Austrian and Dutch forces under Prince Eugene. ... December 10 is the 344th day (345th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... // Events April 10 - The worlds first copyright legislation became effective, Britains Statute of Anne Ongoing events Great Northern War (1700-1721) War of the Spanish Succession (1702-1713) Births January 3 - Richard Gridley, American Revolutionary soldier (d. ... Charles II was the last Habsburg King of Spain. ... Combatants France Spain Britain Commanders Louis Joseph de Vendôme James Stanhope Strength 20,000–24,000 16,000–18,000 (4,000 present) Casualties 1,000 dead 600 dead 3,400 wounded or captured The Battle of Brihuega took place on December 8, 1710 in the War of the...

Prelude

After the victories in the battle of Almenara (July 27), and the battle of Saragossa (August 20), the allies supporting Archduke Charles conquered Madrid for the second time. On the 21st of September the archduke entered Madrid. Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI Charles VI of Austria (October 1, 1685 – October 20, 1740) was Holy Roman Emperor from 1711 to 1740 and the second son of Leopold I with his third wife, Eleonore-Magdalena of Pfalz-Neuburg, came first to the throne with the name Charles III of... Madrid is the capital and largest city in Spain, as well as in the province and the autonomous community of the same name. ...

But the invasion of 1710 was a repetition of the invasion of 1706. The 23,000 men of the allies, reduced by a loss of 2,000 in the actions at Almenara and Saragossa, by casualties in constant skirmishes with the guerrilleros, and by disease, were absolutely incapable of occupying the two Castiles. The Portuguese gave no help.

The Spaniards were reorganized by the duke of Vendome, who was lent to Philip V, by his grandfather, and were joined by soldiers of the Irish brigade, and by some Frenchmen who were allowed, or secretly directed, to enter the Spanish service. Louis Joseph, 3rd Duke of Vendôme, was born in 1654 and became a soldier while still an adolescent. ... King Philip V of Spain (December 19, 1683 – July 9, 1746) or Philippe of Anjou was king of Spain from 1700 to 1746, the first of the Bourbon dynasty in Spain. ... The Irish Brigade was a brigade in the French army composed of Irish exiles. ...

The position of the allies at Madrid, which was deserted by all except the poorest of its inhabitants, became untenable. On the 9th of November they evacuated the town, and began their retreat to Catalonia. The archduke left the army with 2,000 cavalry, and hurried back to Barcelona. The rest of the army marched in two detachments, the division being imposed on them by difficulty of finding food. General Guido Starhemberg with the main body of 12,000 men, was a day's march ahead of the British troops, 5,000 men, under Lord Stanhope. Such a disposition invited disaster in the presence of so capable a general as Vendome. The British force was surprised and defeated near Brihuega on december 9, 1710. The whole force was taken prisoner despite putting up a valiant fight. James Stanhope, 1st Earl Stanhope (c. ...

The battle

Starhemberg, who received tardy information of the peril of his colleague, marched back to support him, and fought the obstinate and bloody fight of Villaviciosa. Starhemberg remained master of the field, but both sides claimed victory.

Aftermath

The fruits of victory fell to Vendome, for the Imperialist general was compelled to continue his retreat, harassed at every step by the Spanish cavalry and irregulars. His army was reduced to 6000 or 7000 men when he reached Barcelona on januari 6, almost the only place in Spain which still recognised the authority of Charles. Barcelona is the capital city of Catalonia, an autonomous region in Spain. ...

The battle for the Spanish throne was finally secured for Philip V, when archduke Charles left Spain in April 1711, to become Austrian emperor, after the death of his older brother.

External links

• Description of the Battle of Villaviciosa (in Spanish)