Chapter Three

To See the Enemy Pass – The Borders of Holland, 1702–1703

Marlborough understood the need to fight decisive battles and, early in the war when they expected to win, so too did the French Marshals who opposed him. Largely as a result of Dutch caution, understandable enough but frustrating, the years 1702 and 1703 proved to be an unproductive period for the Earl. He was unable to force an open battle on the French in the Low Countries. The general pace of military activity was by no means slow, however, and Marlborough (soon to be made a Duke for his efforts) managed to clear the line of the lower Maas and Rhine rivers, and thus gain a measure of security for Holland. The Dutch field deputies who accompanied Marlborough on campaign hamstrung his plans; the Earl was the Captain-General of the troops in English pay, and he was commander of the Dutch troops when they were in the field. The terms of his commission were such that he exercised his authority only with the continued approval of the deputies. These were cautious men, with limited horizons, concerned mostly with the safety of their southern border, and set firmly against any hazardous or unduly adventurous operations. Captain Robert Parker, of the Royal Regiment of Ireland, wrote of this arrangement:

That wise state [Holland] always sent into the field with him, two of the most experienced of their Council of State, who were to be consulted on all occasions. They therefore sent at this time with the Lord Marlborough, the Baron de Heyd, and the Herr Guildermaison, which his lordship could not take amiss, since he knew it had been their constant practice.

The French commander in the Spanish Netherlands, Marshal Boufflers, was hampered by a lengthy and indifferent supply line. He also got the irritating news that the Dutch, under their brilliant engineer General van Coehorn, were taking the offensive against Middelburg and Bruges (thus tying down the Marquis de Bedmar’s troops there). The weather was unseasonably bad but, in June 1702, the Marshal skilfully out-manoeuvred the Allied army, commanded by Ginkel, the Earl of Athlone, and a good position at Cranenberg near to Cleves was prematurely abandoned. Robert Parker wrote of Boufflers’ early morning dash that ‘By daylight the enemy’s horse began to appear on both sides of us. This made us mend our pace.’ Marlborough’s nephew, the Duke of Berwick, who was serving with Boufflers at this time, wrote of the pursuit of Athlone’s troops: