Editing Battle of Seneffe (section)

==Aftermath==
[[File:Réception du Grand Condé à Versailles (Jean-Léon Gérôme, 1878).png|left|thumb|upright=1.2|Condé's formal reception by Louis XIV at Versailles following Seneffe]]

Both sides claimed victory on the basis of "holding their ground" at the end of the fighting, but neither gained a clear advantage, and the overall strategic position remained largely unchanged. Condé had failed to take advantage of his initial success,{{sfn|Nolan|2008|p=183}} and his poorly judged attacks rescued William from a serious defeat.{{sfn|Van Nimwegen|2010|pp=511-512}} Historians are divided on the result; it has variously been described as a French victory,{{sfn|Clodfelter|2002|p=46}}{{sfn|Jacques|2007|p=926}}{{sfn|Lynn|1999|p=126}} an Allied success,{{sfn|Algra|Algra|1956|pp=374}} or essentially inconclusive.{{sfn|Van Nimwegen|2010|p=511}}{{sfn|Nolan|2008|p=123}}{{Sfn|Serrano}}{{sfn|Panhuysen|2009|pp=427}}{{sfn|Knoop|1856|p=204-206}}

Casualties on both sides were enormous, with estimates of Allied losses ranging from 10,000 {{sfn|De Périni|1896|p=107}} to 15,000, including prisoners.{{sfn|Bodart|1908|p=95}}{{sfn|Van Nimwegen|2010|p=380}}{{sfn|Clodfelter|2002|p=46}} {{efn|In 1970, American military historian [[Trevor N. Dupuy]] provided figures that agreed with other estimates of French losses, but for reasons that have not been explained doubled those for the Allies, {{sfn|Dupuy|Dupuy|1970|p=565}} which are then quoted by [[Spencer C. Tucker]].{{sfn|Tucker|2009|p=651}} Since Dupuy is the only analyst to suggest casualties on this level, Micheal Clodfelter argues the figure of 14,000 Allied casualties is 'more likely'.{{sfn|Clodfelter|2002|p=46}}}} The dead included Sir Walter Vane, deputy commander of the elite [[Scots Brigade]], François Palm, Colonel of the [[Netherlands Marine Corps|Dutch Marines]], {{Sfn |Luscombe}} and Assentar, whose body was later returned by Condé for burial. French casualties were between 7,000{{sfn|De Périni|1896|p=107}} to 10,000 dead or wounded,{{sfn|Bodart|1908|p=95}}{{sfn|Van Nimwegen|2010|p=380}} with particularly heavy losses among the officer corps.{{sfn|Panhuysen|2009|pp=427}}{{sfn|Van Nimwegen|2020|pp=149}} These shocked the French court, one contemporary writing "We have lost so much by this victory that without the Te Deum and captured flags at Notre Dame, we would believe we had lost the battle".{{sfn|De Sévigné|1822|p=353}} French military engineer and strategist [[Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban]] argued Seneffe showed siege warfare was a better way to achieve victory than costly battles, and Louis ordered Condé to avoid a repeat.{{sfn|Lynn|1999|p=126}} 

Although Allied casualties were higher than those of the French, they were quickly replaced by troops from nearby garrisons.{{sfn|Lynn|1999|p=126}} In addition, a large convoy arrived outside Mons on 31 August, bringing supplies, a month's pay in advance for the survivors and five new Dutch regiments. With Condé unable to replace his losses to the same extent, the Allied numerical advantage was greater than before Seneffe, and William proposed another invasion attempt.{{sfn|Van Nimwegen|2010|p=479}}

However, one less appreciated advantage held by the French over their opponents in this period was the benefit of an undivided command and unified strategy. For different reasons, neither Monterrey or de Souches were willing to risk another battle, and William was forced to compromise by besieging [[Oudenarde]]. Operations commenced on 16 September, and Condé began marching to its relief three days later. The Dutch and Spanish redoubled efforts to breach the walls before his arrival, but without advising his colleagues, de Souches sent the Imperial artillery off to [[Ghent]]. On 20 September, Condé took up position on the left bank of the [[Scheldt]] river and began bombarding the Allied positions on 21st.{{sfn|De Périni|1896|p=109}} Since the Imperial troops would not fight without their guns, and the Dutch and Spanish could not face the French on their own, the Allies were forced to abandon the siege,{{sfn|Van Nimwegen|2010|p=481}} along with most of their remaining equipment.{{sfn|De Périni|1896|p=109}}

[[File:SA 4868-Anno 1674. De plechtige dankdienst na de inneming van Grave.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|right|The thanksgiving service of William III's army in Grave after [[Siege of Grave (1674)|its capture]]]]

After strong protests from the [[States General of the Netherlands|Dutch States General]], de Souches was relieved of his command, but this did little to solve the reality of diverging objectives. Emperor Leopold preferred to focus Imperial resources on the [[Upper Rhine]], the Spanish wanted to recoup their losses in the Spanish Netherlands, while the Dutch prioritised retaking Grave and Maastricht.{{sfn|Anonymous|1744|p=263}} Accordingly, the Spanish returned to their garrisons, the Imperial troops recrossed the [[Meuse]], {{sfn|De Périni|1896|p=109}} and William assumed command of operations [[Siege of Grave (1674)|at Grave]]. Besieged since 28 June, the town finally surrendered on 29 October.{{sfn|Van Nimwegen|2010|p=481}} 

Condé received a state reception at Versailles for Seneffe, but his health was failing and the casualties had diminished Louis' trust in his abilities. He temporarily assumed command of French troops in the Rhineland in July 1675, but retired before the end of the year. In the longer term, Seneffe confirmed Louis' preference for positional warfare, ushering in a period where siege and manoeuvre dominated military tactics.{{sfn|Lynn|1999|pp=125-126}} The war became one of attrition, and although both sides were of similar strength, neither was yet ready to negotiate peace.{{sfn|Panhuysen|2009|pp=428}}