3. THE WAR OF DEVOLUTION 1667-1668
SOME POLITICS FIRST
In 1665 King Philip IV of Spain had died and his 4 year old heir Charles II was a weak child. This urged Louis XIV, who was married to Marie-Thérese, a sister of Charles II, to lay already a serious claim to part of the inheritance of Philip IV, based on a local law called the devolution-right. This meant that after a father’s death, his possessions would in principle pass to the children from his first marriage, in this case to Marie-Thérese. Hence the name for the conflict: War of Devolution.
Louis XIV invaded the Spanish Netherlands in 1667, just when the Republic was fully occupied by the 2nd Anglo-Dutch War. Both England and the Republic preferred a weak Spanish southern neighbour of the Republic to a strong French one.
The power of the German Emperor had suffered strongly after the Treaty of Westfalen which ended the 30 Years War in 1648. Besides Emperor Leopold I was occupied by other war-activities, namely against the Turcs along the Danube-river. To Leopold, Philip IV had promised the hand of his daughter from his second marriage. So he would be one of the future heirs to the Spanish Succession
To force the negotiations with the English to a conclusion the Republic organized the famous expedition on the Medway, after which on July 21st 1667 the Peace of Breda was concluded between both countries. The new political constellation compelled Louis XIV to stop his conquest of the Spanish Netherlands and go into winter-quarters. Through this action however Louis had raised an anti-French climate in the Holland, where the regents feared for a French threat to their economical power.
In January 1668 Leopold I and Louis XIV concluded a secret treaty which contained a partition of the future Spanish inheritance and in which Leopold agreed not to intervene in the Spanish Netherlands, which would fall to Louis XIV when time was there. The Emperor’s passive attitude also caused the neutrality of the Elector of Brandenburg, one of the Protestant German sovereigns, who was affected to the Republic. The Elector Friedrich Wilhelm also had possessions in Kleve and Berg, near the Republican East-border. Louis neutralised him by promising not to push forward one of his relatives or protégés in case the Polish throne would become vacant.
In 1665 King Philip IV of Spain had died and his 4 year old heir Charles II was a weak child. This urged Louis XIV, who was married to Marie-Thérese, a sister of Charles II, to lay already a serious claim to part of the inheritance of Philip IV, based on a local law called the devolution-right. This meant that after a father’s death, his possessions would in principle pass to the children from his first marriage, in this case to Marie-Thérese. Hence the name for the conflict: War of Devolution.
Louis XIV invaded the Spanish Netherlands in 1667, just when the Republic was fully occupied by the 2nd Anglo-Dutch War. Both England and the Republic preferred a weak Spanish southern neighbour of the Republic to a strong French one.
The power of the German Emperor had suffered strongly after the Treaty of Westfalen which ended the 30 Years War in 1648. Besides Emperor Leopold I was occupied by other war-activities, namely against the Turcs along the Danube-river. To Leopold, Philip IV had promised the hand of his daughter from his second marriage. So he would be one of the future heirs to the Spanish Succession
To force the negotiations with the English to a conclusion the Republic organized the famous expedition on the Medway, after which on July 21st 1667 the Peace of Breda was concluded between both countries. The new political constellation compelled Louis XIV to stop his conquest of the Spanish Netherlands and go into winter-quarters. Through this action however Louis had raised an anti-French climate in the Holland, where the regents feared for a French threat to their economical power.
In January 1668 Leopold I and Louis XIV concluded a secret treaty which contained a partition of the future Spanish inheritance and in which Leopold agreed not to intervene in the Spanish Netherlands, which would fall to Louis XIV when time was there. The Emperor’s passive attitude also caused the neutrality of the Elector of Brandenburg, one of the Protestant German sovereigns, who was affected to the Republic. The Elector Friedrich Wilhelm also had possessions in Kleve and Berg, near the Republican East-border. Louis neutralised him by promising not to push forward one of his relatives or protégés in case the Polish throne would become vacant.
1667 French invasion
In January 1668, 2 weeks after the before mentioned secret treaty between Leopold I and Louis XIV, the famous Triple Alliance was concluded between the Republic, England and Sweden. It’s purpose was to mediate between France and Spain and try to persuade Spain to give France some fortress-towns in the Spanish Netherlands or Franche-Comté and to convince France it would be wise to accept this offer. Franche-Comté was the territory between France and Switzerland which also was a Spanish-Habsburg possession.
If armed force would be needed to convince Spain, Sweden would supply troops, which would be paid by Spain. This alliance resulted in the Peace of Aachen in May 1668. This ended the Devolution-War with France actually as winner: they were allowed to hold the conquered territory in the Spanish Netherlands. The Republic was so relieved that she decided to strike off the newly raised regiments from their army list and reduce the remaining units to peace-strength.
For the time being the widow-queen Maria Anna of Austria became regent of the minor Charles II and a court-struggle will follow with Don Juan II of Austria, a bastard-son of the deceased Philip IV.
MILITARY ACTIVITIES DURING THE WAR OF DEVOLUTION
In March 1664 the Marquis of Castel Rodrigo had succeeded the Marquis of Caracena as governor of the Spanish Netherlands. He was also Captain-general of all troops serving there under the Spanish Crown. He expected to be attacked by France, but Spain ignored his warnings. Trying to gain time he started negotiations with Louis XIV.
However France was taking serious preperations already and asembled a force of 50.000 in Picardie consisting of 3 armies. Louis XIV formally commanded the central and strongest one of 25.000 foot and 10.000 horse, but actual command of this force was assigned to Maréchall Turenne. 2 smaller armies of 8.000 men each were commanded by Maréchall d’Aumont and Marquis de Créqui. Turenne advanced through the vally of the river Samber, d’Aumont through Flanders and Créqui through the Ardennes. The latter also had to block the route for eventual Imperial support. 21st May the operations started.
As so often in Louis XIV’s early days he accompanied the army in person, this time with his wife and 2 mistresses and several . He shows them the conquered territory and he personally attends the siege of Ghent. He claims not to invade the Spanish Netherlands, but instead to secure secure the rightful inheritance of his queen.
Rodrigo had available 515 comp foot, totalling about 27.000 men and 132 comp horse, totalling 8.500 men; a grand total of 35.500. His troops were in arrear of payment and the number of foot was too small to both garrison the frontier towns and field a large enough force to stop Louis XIV. Most troops were in garrison to defend the important towns and fortresses and the remainder was spread over some tiny skirmish forces. Attempts to raise militia troops failed due to lack of money.
Turenne occupied Valenciennes, Binche and the incompleted fortress of Charleroi. Next Aat was taken. Meanwhile d’Aumont had taken Armentiéres, Bergues and Furnes. Both forced joined to lay siege to Tournai which surrendered 25th June. Then Douai, Courtrai, Cambrai, Oudenaarde and Aalst followed the same faith. Dendermonde, defended by 2.000 men, managed to withstand the attack by flooding the countryside. Turenne lost 2.000 men with the siege and half of his camp was destroyed by the water.
After the loss of Lille. Rodrigo reorganised his troops fort he defence of the remaining important positions. In August 1667 the French managed to control the canal between Ghent and Brughes and Ghent was seriously threatened. With English support (350 men) Ghent managed to resist the French and 31st October the latter had to raise the siege to withdraw into Winter-Quarters.
If armed force would be needed to convince Spain, Sweden would supply troops, which would be paid by Spain. This alliance resulted in the Peace of Aachen in May 1668. This ended the Devolution-War with France actually as winner: they were allowed to hold the conquered territory in the Spanish Netherlands. The Republic was so relieved that she decided to strike off the newly raised regiments from their army list and reduce the remaining units to peace-strength.
For the time being the widow-queen Maria Anna of Austria became regent of the minor Charles II and a court-struggle will follow with Don Juan II of Austria, a bastard-son of the deceased Philip IV.
MILITARY ACTIVITIES DURING THE WAR OF DEVOLUTION
In March 1664 the Marquis of Castel Rodrigo had succeeded the Marquis of Caracena as governor of the Spanish Netherlands. He was also Captain-general of all troops serving there under the Spanish Crown. He expected to be attacked by France, but Spain ignored his warnings. Trying to gain time he started negotiations with Louis XIV.
However France was taking serious preperations already and asembled a force of 50.000 in Picardie consisting of 3 armies. Louis XIV formally commanded the central and strongest one of 25.000 foot and 10.000 horse, but actual command of this force was assigned to Maréchall Turenne. 2 smaller armies of 8.000 men each were commanded by Maréchall d’Aumont and Marquis de Créqui. Turenne advanced through the vally of the river Samber, d’Aumont through Flanders and Créqui through the Ardennes. The latter also had to block the route for eventual Imperial support. 21st May the operations started.
As so often in Louis XIV’s early days he accompanied the army in person, this time with his wife and 2 mistresses and several . He shows them the conquered territory and he personally attends the siege of Ghent. He claims not to invade the Spanish Netherlands, but instead to secure secure the rightful inheritance of his queen.
Rodrigo had available 515 comp foot, totalling about 27.000 men and 132 comp horse, totalling 8.500 men; a grand total of 35.500. His troops were in arrear of payment and the number of foot was too small to both garrison the frontier towns and field a large enough force to stop Louis XIV. Most troops were in garrison to defend the important towns and fortresses and the remainder was spread over some tiny skirmish forces. Attempts to raise militia troops failed due to lack of money.
Turenne occupied Valenciennes, Binche and the incompleted fortress of Charleroi. Next Aat was taken. Meanwhile d’Aumont had taken Armentiéres, Bergues and Furnes. Both forced joined to lay siege to Tournai which surrendered 25th June. Then Douai, Courtrai, Cambrai, Oudenaarde and Aalst followed the same faith. Dendermonde, defended by 2.000 men, managed to withstand the attack by flooding the countryside. Turenne lost 2.000 men with the siege and half of his camp was destroyed by the water.
After the loss of Lille. Rodrigo reorganised his troops fort he defence of the remaining important positions. In August 1667 the French managed to control the canal between Ghent and Brughes and Ghent was seriously threatened. With English support (350 men) Ghent managed to resist the French and 31st October the latter had to raise the siege to withdraw into Winter-Quarters.
Marechal Turenne
In January 1668 Louis XIV receives a proposal by thre newly formed Triple Alliance: keep the conquered territory in the Spanish Netherlands or instead receive Luxemburg or Franche-Comté. As a reaction Louis orders The Prince of Condé to invade Franche-Comté which is almost entirely occupied within less then a month.
As on 2nd May 1668 the Treaty of Aachen is signed, Louis XIV actually is the winner. Although he has to clear most of Franche-Comté and the Spanish Netherlands he may keep the important places Charleroi, Ath, Binche, Oudenarde, Tournai, Douai, Lille, Courtrai, Armentiéres, Bergues and Furnes. This meant that the French frontier shifted towards the Dutch Republic, by which means Spain intended to activate the Dutch Republic in its attitude towards France and the defence of the Spanish Netherlands as their barrier against Louis XIV’s expansion policy.
Spain had been occupied by financial problems and a war with Portugal. At the Portuguese War early 1668 they send 2.500 troops to Spain, but too few and late to turn the tide.
Although the failure of the 1667 campaign was for the largest part to blame on the Spanish Court, Rodrigo was dismissed as governor. In 1670 he will be replaced by Juan de Zuniga, Earl of Monterey (after a short rule by the Duke of Frias). Although Rodrigo did well to concentrate on the use of his infantry as garrison, he failed to defend important key positions as Namur, Charleroi, Mons, Tournai, Rijsel and St.Omer. He also made no good use of his 8.500 strong cavalry which might have acted as a nasty plague fort he French communication and supply lines. The Triple Alliance of January 1668 between Engeland, the Dutch Republic and Sweden also came to late to turn the tide. The Dutch Republic had been involved in the 2nd Anglo-Dutch Sea-War, which first was ended on 31st July 1667 with the Treaty of Breda.
UNIFORMS DURING THE WAR OF DEVOLUTION
There were no uniform regulations yet during the 1660’s. The only regulations there were was that the owner of a regiment (colonel) was responsible fort he uniformly clothing of his men. In the Dutch Republic there exists a regulation of 1639 that prescribes clothing of the same design fort he soldiers. Clothing was almost equal to civilian clothing, only the doublet often was extra stuffed.
From the French army is known that in 1667 the 54e Régiment d’infanterie was obliged to start clothing in a uniform way. About 1670 more specific regulations about military clothing became common. The pictures below are all from the Vinkhuizen Collection, now at the New York Public Library. The authenticity of the plates is sometimes conjectural.
As on 2nd May 1668 the Treaty of Aachen is signed, Louis XIV actually is the winner. Although he has to clear most of Franche-Comté and the Spanish Netherlands he may keep the important places Charleroi, Ath, Binche, Oudenarde, Tournai, Douai, Lille, Courtrai, Armentiéres, Bergues and Furnes. This meant that the French frontier shifted towards the Dutch Republic, by which means Spain intended to activate the Dutch Republic in its attitude towards France and the defence of the Spanish Netherlands as their barrier against Louis XIV’s expansion policy.
Spain had been occupied by financial problems and a war with Portugal. At the Portuguese War early 1668 they send 2.500 troops to Spain, but too few and late to turn the tide.
Although the failure of the 1667 campaign was for the largest part to blame on the Spanish Court, Rodrigo was dismissed as governor. In 1670 he will be replaced by Juan de Zuniga, Earl of Monterey (after a short rule by the Duke of Frias). Although Rodrigo did well to concentrate on the use of his infantry as garrison, he failed to defend important key positions as Namur, Charleroi, Mons, Tournai, Rijsel and St.Omer. He also made no good use of his 8.500 strong cavalry which might have acted as a nasty plague fort he French communication and supply lines. The Triple Alliance of January 1668 between Engeland, the Dutch Republic and Sweden also came to late to turn the tide. The Dutch Republic had been involved in the 2nd Anglo-Dutch Sea-War, which first was ended on 31st July 1667 with the Treaty of Breda.
UNIFORMS DURING THE WAR OF DEVOLUTION
There were no uniform regulations yet during the 1660’s. The only regulations there were was that the owner of a regiment (colonel) was responsible fort he uniformly clothing of his men. In the Dutch Republic there exists a regulation of 1639 that prescribes clothing of the same design fort he soldiers. Clothing was almost equal to civilian clothing, only the doublet often was extra stuffed.
From the French army is known that in 1667 the 54e Régiment d’infanterie was obliged to start clothing in a uniform way. About 1670 more specific regulations about military clothing became common. The pictures below are all from the Vinkhuizen Collection, now at the New York Public Library. The authenticity of the plates is sometimes conjectural.
