The Battle of Fontenoy - May 11, 1745
1745 · Fontenoy, France
The Battle of Fontenoy took place during the War of the Austrian Succession.
The French Capture Freiburg im Breisgau - War of the Spanish Succession
The capture of Freiburg im Breisgau on June 6, 1716, did not occur. It appears there may be a misunderstanding regarding the date or event. The War of the Spanish Succession, which took place from 1701 to 1714, involved major European powers vying for control over Spain and its vast empire following the death of the childless Charles II of Spain. This complex conflict embroiled France, led by Louis XIV, against a coalition including England, the Dutch Republic, and the Holy Roman Empire.
Freiburg im Breisgau, located in what is now Germany, was a strategically valuable city during this period due to its fortifications and position in the Rhine Valley. Indeed, the city was involved in various military actions during the War of the Spanish Succession. It was notably besieged and captured by French forces under the command of Marshal Villars in 1713, during the war’s concluding phases as France sought to consolidate its territorial gains in the Rhineland.
These military actions came shortly before the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 and the subsequent Treaty of Rastatt in 1714, which cemented peace terms and led to significant territorial realignments in Europe. The treaties ended the war, significantly curtailing French ambitions while recognizing Philip V, Louis XIV’s grandson, as the King of Spain—although requiring him to renounce any claim to the French throne.
The broader conflict was pivotal in shaping the balance of power in Europe, fostering the rise of Britain’s overseas empire, and laying groundwork for subsequent treaties and coalitions in 18th-century European politics.