Editing Battle of Fontenoy

{{Short description|1745 Battle of the Austrian Succession}}
{{Distinguish|Battle of Fontenoy (841)}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict          = Battle of Fontenoy
| partof            = the [[War of the Austrian Succession]]
| image             = Battle of Fontenoy 1745.PNG
| image_size        = 300
| caption           = ''The Battle of Fontenoy'' by [[Pierre L'Enfant (painter)|Pierre L'Enfant]]
| date              = {{start date|1745|05|11|df=y}}
| place             = [[Fontenoy, Antoing]], [[Austrian Netherlands]]
| coordinates       = {{coord|50.5694|N|3.4750|E|source:ruwiki_region:BE_type:event|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| result            = French victory
| combatant1        = {{flagcountry|size=20px|Kingdom of France}}
| combatant2        = {{plainlist|
* {{flagcountry|size=20px|Kingdom of Great Britain}}
* {{flagcountry|size=20px|Dutch Republic}}
* {{flagcountry|size=20px|Electorate of Hanover}}
* {{flagcountry|size=20px|Holy Roman Empire}}}}
| commander1        = {{plainlist|
* {{flagd|size=20px|Kingdom of France}} [[Louis XV]]
* {{flagd|size=20px|Kingdom of France}} [[Maurice de Saxe]]
* {{flagd|size=20px|Kingdom of France}} [[Ulrich Friedrich Woldemar von Löwendal|Count of Löwendal]]
* {{flagd|size=20px|Kingdom of France}} [[Armand de Vignerot du Plessis|Duke of Richelieu]]
* {{flagd|size=20px|Kingdom of France}} [[Louis de Gramont, 6th Duke of Gramont|Duke of Gramont]]{{KIA}}
* {{flagd|size=20px|Kingdom of France}} [[Louis Charles César Le Tellier, duc d'Estrées|Duke of Estrées]]}}
| commander2        = {{indented plainlist|in=2.1em|
* {{flagd|size=20px|Kingdom of Great Britain}} [[William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland|Duke of Cumberland]]
* {{flagd|size=20px|Kingdom of Great Britain}} [[John Ligonier, 1st Earl Ligonier|Earl Ligonier]]
* {{flagd|size=20px|Dutch Republic}} [[Karl August, Prince of Waldeck and Pyrmont|Prince Waldeck]]
* {{flagd|size=20px|Dutch Republic}} [[Isaac Cronström]]
* {{flagd|size=20px|Kingdom of Great Britain}} [[James Campbell (British Army officer, died 1745)|James Campbell]]{{KIA}}
* {{flagd|size=20px|Habsburg Monarchy}} [[Dominik von Königsegg-Rothenfels|Königsegg-Rothenfels]]
* {{flagd|size=20px|Hanover|1692}} Franz Karl von Wendt}}
| strength1         = {{circa}} 50,000 men <br/> 100–110 guns{{sfn|McNally|2017|p=18}}
| strength2         = {{circa}} 50,000 men <br/> 80–101 guns{{sfn|Duncan|1879|p=127}}{{sfn|Skrine|1906|p=146}}
| casualties1       = {{circa}} 8,000 killed or wounded
| casualties2       = {{circa}} 12,000 killed, wounded, or captured, plus 40 guns lost{{sfn|Townshend|1901|p=69}}
| campaignbox       = {{Campaignbox War of the Austrian Succession}}
}}

The '''Battle of Fontenoy''' took place on 11 May 1745 during the [[War of the Austrian Succession]], near [[Tournai]], then in the [[Austrian Netherlands]], now [[Belgium]]. A French army of 50,000 under [[Maurice, comte de Saxe|Marshal Saxe]] defeated a [[Pragmatic Army]]{{efn|Supporters of the 1713 Pragmatic Sanction were generally known as the Pragmatic Allies}} of roughly the same size, led by the [[William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland|Duke of Cumberland]].

By 1745, [[Kingdom of France|France]] was close to [[bankruptcy]], and the Austrian Netherlands offered the best opportunity for a decisive victory which would end it. In April 1745, Saxe [[Siege of Tournai (1745)|besieged Tournai]], a key strategic town on the upper [[Scheldt]], compelling the main Allied army to march to its relief. Leaving 22,000 men to continue the siege, Saxe placed his main force about {{convert|8|km|mi|0}} away in the villages of [[Antoing]], Vezon and Fontenoy, along a naturally strong feature strengthened with defensive works.

After several unsuccessful flank assaults which incurred heavy casualties, an Allied infantry column of 15,000 attacked the French centre, before being repulsed. Covered by their cavalry, they retreated toward [[Brussels]], abandoning Tournai which fell shortly afterwards. Many British troops were withdrawn in October to suppress the [[Jacobite rising of 1745]], leaving France in control of the Austrian Netherlands.

However, Fontenoy failed to end the war, and in May 1746, [[Louis XV of France|Louis XV]] initiated [[Congress of Breda|peace talks]], but negotiations dragged on for the next two years. Despite further French victories at [[Battle of Rocoux|Rocoux]] in 1746 and [[Battle of Lauffeld|Lauffeld]] in 1747, their economic position continued to deteriorate. The war ended in November 1748 with the [[Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (1748)|Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle]], under which France relinquished its gains in the Austrian Netherlands.

==Background: 1740 to 1745==
[[File:Kaiserin Maria Theresia (HRR).jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.8|Empress [[Maria Theresa]], whose succession led to the war]]

The [[War of the Austrian Succession]] was caused by the death in 1740 of Emperor [[Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles VI]], ruler of the [[Holy Roman Empire]]. Since he had no sons, his eldest daughter [[Maria Theresa]] became heir, even though she was technically barred by [[Salic law]] which governed the [[Habsburg monarchy]].{{efn|Often referred to as 'Austria', this included [[Archduchy of Austria|Austria]], [[Kingdom of Hungary|Hungary]], [[Kingdom of Croatia (Habsburg)|Croatia]], [[Crown of Bohemia|Bohemia]] and the [[Austrian Netherlands]]}} To ensure her succession, this condition was waived by the [[Pragmatic Sanction of 1713]], a solution which was challenged by the closest male heir, [[Charles VII, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles of Bavaria]].{{sfn|Anderson|1995|p=3}} In January 1742 Charles became the first non-Habsburg Emperor in 300 years, supported by [[Kingdom of France|France]], [[Prussia]] and [[Saxony]]. Maria Theresa was backed by the Pragmatic Allies, a coalition of Austria, [[Kingdom of Great Britain|Britain]], [[Electorate of Hanover|Hanover]], and the [[Dutch Republic]].{{sfn|Black|1999|p=82}}

By 1745, the main beneficiary from four years of conflict was Prussia, which captured the Austrian province of [[Silesia]] during the 1740–1742 [[First Silesian War]]. The richest province in the Empire, Silesian taxes provided ten per cent of total Imperial income and contained large mining, weaving and dyeing industries. Regaining it was a priority for Maria Theresa and led to the 1744–1745 [[Second Silesian War]].{{sfn|Armour|2012|pp=99–101}} Shortly after Charles died in January 1745, the Austrians over-ran Bavaria and defeated a Franco-Bavarian force at [[Battle of Pfaffenhofen|Pfaffenhofen]] on 15 April. Charles' son, [[Maximilian III Joseph]], now sued for peace and supported the election of Maria Theresa's husband, [[Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor|Francis Stephen]], as the new Emperor. With Bavaria out of the war, Austria could focus on Silesia, while France was released from its involvement in Germany, and could concentrate on Italy and the Low Countries.{{sfn|Browning|1975|pp=203–204}}

==1745 Campaign Plans==
[[File:Low Countries 1740.png|thumb|upright=1.2|The [[Austrian Netherlands]], showing its major waterways; [[Tournai]] sat on the [[Scheldt]] River (top), near the border with France]]

In the first half of 1744, France made significant advances in the [[Austrian Netherlands]], before being forced to divert resources to meet threats elsewhere. For the 1745 campaign, [[Maurice de Saxe]] persuaded [[Louis XV of France|Louis XV]] it was the best place to inflict a decisive defeat on Britain, whose financial resources were central to the Allied war effort. His plan was to bring the Allies to battle on a ground of his choosing, before British financial strength could be used to fund extra troops and negate the current French superiority in numbers.{{sfn|McNally|2017|p=6}} Saxe also benefitted from a unified command and strategy, unlike the Allies who were often deeply divided over objectives and priorities.{{sfn|Anderson|1995|p=143}}

Most of the fighting in this region took place in what is often referred to as [[Flanders]], a compact area {{convert|160|km|mi|-1}} wide, its highest point only {{convert|100|m|yd}} above sea level and dominated by rivers running southwest to northeast. Until the advent of railways in the 19th century, bulk goods and supplies were transported by water, and wars in this region were fought for control of major waterways, including the rivers [[Lys (river)|Lys]], [[Sambre]] and [[Meuse]].{{sfn|Childs|2013|pp=32–33}}

The most important of these was the [[Scheldt]], which began in Northern France and ran for {{convert|350|km|mi}} before entering the [[North Sea]] at [[Antwerp]]. Saxe planned to attack [[Tournai]], a town close to the French border which controlled access to the upper Scheldt basin, making it a vital link in the trading network for Northern Europe.{{sfn|White|1962|p=149}} With a garrison of over 8,000, it was also the strongest of the Dutch [[Barrier Treaty]] forts in the Austrian Netherlands, factors Saxe hoped would force the Allies to fight for it.{{sfn|Starkey|2003|p=107}}

In March 1745, [[George Wade]] was replaced as Allied commander in Flanders by the 24-year-old [[Prince William, Duke of Cumberland|Duke of Cumberland]], advised by the experienced [[John Ligonier, 1st Earl Ligonier|Earl Ligonier]]. In addition to British and Hanoverian troops, the Pragmatic Army included a large Dutch contingent, commanded by [[Karl August, Prince of Waldeck and Pyrmont|Prince Waldeck]], with a small number of Austrians, led by [[Dominik von Königsegg-Rothenfels|Count Königsegg-Rothenfels]].{{sfn|Townshend|1901|pp=51–52}} However, a coherent Allied strategy was undermined by internal disputes and different objectives. The British and Hanoverians resented and mistrusted each other, Austria did not consider Flanders a military priority and Waldeck was unpopular with his subordinates, who often disputed his orders. These divisions were exacerbated by Cumberland's inexperience, lack of diplomatic skill and tendency to ignore advice.{{sfn|McNally|2017|p=12}}

On 21 April, a French cavalry detachment under [[Louis Charles César Le Tellier, duc d'Estrées|D'Estrées]] feinted towards [[Mons, Belgium|Mons]] and Cumberland prepared to march to its relief.{{sfn|Browning|1975|p=207}} Although it soon became clear this was a diversion, French intentions remained unclear until the siege of Tournai began on 28 April.{{sfn|Skrine|1906|p=141}} Combined with faulty intelligence that estimated Saxe had less than 30,000 men, this meant the Allies advanced on Tournai with only their field army of 50,000, leaving large garrisons at nearby [[Namur]] and [[Charleroi]].{{sfn|McNally|2017|p=14}} Having confirmed the Allies were approaching from the south-east, on 7 May Saxe left 22,000 men to continue the siege, and placed his main force of 50,000{{efn|Generally accepted figure, although other estimates range from 46,000 to 60,000{{efn|{{harvnb|Browning|1975|pp=212, 392}}; {{harvnb|Duncan|1879|p=127}}; {{harvnb|Townshend|1901|pp=51–52}}; {{harvnb|Black|1998|p=66}}; {{harvnb|Weigley|1991|p=204}}; {{harvnb|Van Nimwegen|2002|p=222}}; {{harvnb|Castex|2012|p=99}}}}}} around the villages of Fontenoy and [[Antoing]], {{convert|8|km|mi|spell=in|0}} from Tournai.{{sfn|Skrine|1906|pp=151–152}}

==Battle==
{{main|Order of battle for the Battle of Fontenoy}}
[[File:Map of the Battle of Fontenoy 1745.png|thumb|left|upright=1.1|French (blue); Allies (red)]]

As Saxe considered his infantry inferior to their opponents, he placed them behind [[redoubt|defensive works]] and fortified the villages.{{sfn|Chandler|1990|p=105}} The French line ran along the crest of a plateau, the right flank resting on the Scheldt, the left stationed behind the ''Bois de Barry'', with the ''Redoubt d'Eu'' and ''Redoubt de Chambonas'' covering the gap between the wood and their centre in the village of Fontenoy. From there, the ''Chemin de Mons'' sloped down to the [[Hamlet (place)|hamlets]] of Vezon and Bourgeon below, exposing any frontal attack to prolonged fire from three sides.{{sfn|Charteris|2012|p=174}}

The Allies made contact with the French outposts on the evening of 9 May, but a hasty reconnaissance by Cumberland and his staff failed to spot the ''Redoubt d'Eu''. On 10 May, British and Hanoverian cavalry under [[James Campbell (British Army officer, died 1745)|James Campbell]] pushed the French out of Vezon and Bourgeon. Campbell's deputy, the [[John Lindsay, 20th Earl of Crawford|Earl of Crawford]], then recommended that infantry be sent to clear the ''Bois de Barry'', while the cavalry swung around it to outflank the French left. Unfortunately, this plan was abandoned when Dutch hussars reconnoitring the route were fired on by French troops in the wood and withdrew.{{sfn|Oliphant|2015|p=50}}

The attack was postponed until the following day, both armies camping overnight on their positions.{{sfn|Charteris|2012|p=178}} At 4:00&nbsp;a.m. on 11 May, the Allies formed up, British and Hanoverians on the right and centre, Dutch on the left, with the Austrians in reserve. The Dutch were ordered to take Fontenoy and Antoing, while a brigade under [[Richard Ingoldsby (British Army officer, died 1759)|Richard Ingoldsby]] captured the ''Redoubt de Chambonas'', and cleared the ''Bois de Barry''. Once both flanks were engaged, massed Allied infantry in the centre under Ligonier would advance up the slope, and dislodge the main French army.{{sfn|Skrine|1906|pp=149–150}}

As soon as it was light, the Allied artillery opened fire on Fontenoy, but the bombardment had little effect on the dug-in French infantry.{{sfn|Skrine|1906|pp=158–159}} Because Cumberland had badly under-estimated French numbers, he assumed their main force was in the centre, and failed to appreciate the strength of the flanking positions. This meant the true strength of the French left only became apparent when Ingoldsby ran into the ''Redoubt d'Eu''. He requested artillery support, and the advance halted while his men skirmished in the woods with light troops known as ''Harquebusiers de Grassins''.{{sfn|Mcintyre|2016|p=190}} Although these probably numbered less than 900, Ingoldsby was uncertain of their strength and advanced with extreme caution. This was understandable given the earlier failure to detect the redoubt, but delayed the main attack.{{sfn|Skrine|1906|p=160}}

[[File:Fontenoy Charles Hay & Enteroches.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|The [[French Guards Regiment]] and the [[Grenadier Guards|1st Regiment of Foot Guards]] invite each other to fire first{{sfn|MacKinnon|1883|p=368}}]]

Growing impatient, at 7:00&nbsp;a.m., Cumberland ordered Ingoldsby to abandon his assault on the ''Redoubt d'Eu'' and join the main column, although he failed to inform Ligonier. As the Dutch advanced on Fontenoy, they were fired on by French troops in the nearby walled cemetery and fell back with heavy losses. At 9:00&nbsp;a.m., Ligonier sent an aide instructing Ingoldsby to attack the ''Redoubt d'Eu'' immediately and was apparently horrified when Ingoldsby shared his change of orders.{{sfn|Oliphant|2015|p=53}} At 10:30&nbsp;a.m., the Dutch assaulted Fontenoy again, supported by the [[42nd Regiment of Foot|42nd Foot]]; after some initial success, they were forced to retreat, and at 12:30&nbsp;p.m., Cumberland ordered the central column forward.{{sfn|Skrine|1906|p=168}}

Thought to comprise some 15,000 infantry, the column advanced up the slope led by Cumberland and Ligonier, and despite heavy casualties reached the French position still in formation.{{sfn|Skrine|1906|p=160}} After halting to dress their lines, the Guards in the first rank allegedly invited the ''[[Gardes Françaises]]'' to open fire. First reported by [[Voltaire]] in 1768, there is some doubt as to the reliability of this anecdote,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dyster |first1=Josie |title=The Battle of Fontenoy: a literary afterlife |url=https://voltairefoundation.wordpress.com/2020/05/11/the-battle-of-fontenoy-a-literary-afterlife/ |website=Voltaire Foundation |date=11 May 2020 |access-date=22 August 2022}}</ref> but the opening [[Volley fire|volley]] was considered so important that commanders often preferred their opponents to go first, particularly if their own troops were well disciplined and thus able to absorb it without losing cohesion.{{sfn|Coakley|Stetson|1975|p=7}}{{efn|The British incurred heavy losses at [[Battle of Dettingen|Dettingen]] in 1743 by firing prematurely, and subsequent training focused heavily on the importance of getting close before the first volley{{sfn|Davies|2022|pp=3–4}}}}

Thus goaded, the ''Gardes'' fired prematurely, greatly reducing the impact of their first volley. That of the British killed or wounded 700 to 800 men, and the French front line broke up in confusion. Many of their reserves had been transferred to meet the Dutch attack on Fontenoy, and the Allies now advanced into this gap.{{sfn|Starkey|2003|p=120}} Seeing this, [[Adrien Maurice de Noailles|Noailles]], who was observing the fighting from a position near ''Notre Dame de Bois'' along with Louis XV and [[Louis, Dauphin of France (son of Louis XV)|his son]], implored the king to seek safety. However, Saxe assured Louis the battle was not lost, while [[Ulrich Friedrich Woldemar von Löwendal|Löwendal]] ordered a series of cavalry attacks, which although poorly co-ordinated forced the Allies back.{{sfn|Browning|1975|p=211}} 

Isolated in the middle of the column, Cumberland had lost control of the main battle and made no attempt to relieve pressure on the Allied centre by ordering fresh attacks on Fontenoy or the ''Redoubt d'Eu''. Under fire from both flanks and in front, the column formed itself into a hollow, three sided square, reducing their firepower advantage.{{sfn|Chandler|1990|p=126}} Their cavalry charges gave the French infantry time to reform, and at 14:00 Saxe brought up his remaining artillery, which began firing into the Allied square at close range. This was followed by a general assault, with the  ''d'Aubeterre, [[King's Infantry Regiment (France)|du Roi]], [[Royal Regiment (France)|Royal]]'' and ''[[Regiment of the Crown (France)|de la Couronne]]'' attacking from the right, the [[Irish Brigade (France)|Irish Brigade]], ''[[43rd Infantry Regiment (France)|des Vaisseaux]], [[Normandy Regiment|Normandie]], d'Eu'' and two battalions of the ''Gardes françaises'' from the left.{{sfn|Périni|1906|pp=315–316}} 

[[File:The Battle of Fontenoy, 11th May 1745.png|thumb|left|upright=1.2|''[[The Battle of Fontenoy]]'' by [[Horace Vernet]], 1828. Captured British colours are being presented to [[Louis XV of France|Louis XV]] and his son, the [[Louis, Dauphin of France (1729–1765)|Dauphin]]]] 

The assault incurred heavy casualties, the ''Aubeterre'' regiment losing 328 wounded or killed, the four battalions of the ''Régiment Royal'' a total of 675,{{sfn|Périni|1906|p=315}} and the Irish Brigade 656.{{sfn|McGarry|2014|p=99}}{{efn|"The encounter between the British and Irish Brigade was fierce, the fire constant, and the slaughter great; but the loss on the side of the British was such, they were at length compelled to retire".{{sfn|Townshend|1901|p=66}}}} Despite this, Saxe and Löwendal led the ''Gardes Françaises'' in a second attack, while D'Estrées and Richelieu brought up the elite ''[[Maison militaire du roi de France|Maison du roi]]'' cavalry, forcing the column back with heavy losses. The Hanoverian ''Böselager'' regiment suffered 377 casualties, the largest of any single Allied unit, the [[Royal Welch Fusiliers|23rd Foot]] lost 322, and the three Guards regiments over 700 in total.{{sfn|Skrine|1906|pp=182, 190}} 

Despite this, discipline and training allowed the Allied infantry to make an orderly withdrawal, the rearguard halting at intervals to fire on their pursuers.{{sfn|Black|1998|p=67}} On reaching Vezon, the cavalry provided cover as they moved into columns of march, before withdrawing {{convert|180|km|mi}} to [[Ath]], largely undisturbed by the French.{{sfn|Browning|1975|p=212}} The decision was opposed by Waldeck and other Dutch officers, who were reluctant to abandon their garrison in Tournai; one of them later wrote that "We were repulsed without being [defeated but&nbsp;...] our hasty retreat makes us look beaten&nbsp;...[while] we have left [much] baggage and many wounded".{{sfn|Van Nimwegen|2002|pp=223–224}} Next day, French cavalry captured 2,000 wounded Allied soldiers at Leuze, along with forty-four guns.{{sfn|Castex|2012|p=99}}

==Aftermath==
[[File:Maurice de Saxe (1696-1750).PNG|thumb|upright=0.8|[[Maurice de Saxe]]; despite being in severe pain, his leadership was key to French victory]]

Fontenoy was the bloodiest battle in Western Europe since [[Battle of Malplaquet|Malplaquet]] in 1709. French losses were an estimated 7,000 to 8,000 killed and wounded,{{sfn|Browning|1975|p=212}} those of the Allies between 7,400{{efn|British and Hanoverian 5,800,{{sfn|Everson|1995|p=135}} Dutch 1,600}} and 12,000, including prisoners.{{sfn|Smollett|1848|p=472}} Since his presence technically made him senior commander, Louis became the first French king to claim a battlefield victory over the English since [[Louis IX of France|Saint Louis]].{{sfn|Starkey|2003|p=109}} This fact was emphasised in a propaganda campaign, which included a laudatory poem by Voltaire, titled ''La Bataille De Fontenoy.''{{sfn|Iverson|1999|pp=207–228}}

Victory restored French battlefield pre-eminence in Europe,{{sfn|Black|1998|p=33}} although the best of the Allied infantry remained superior to their opponents.{{sfn|Browning|1975|p=212}} It also cemented Saxe's reputation as one of the leading generals of the period, although his domestic opponents attacked him for not pursuing with more vigour. In response, he pointed out his troops were exhausted while the Allied cavalry and large parts of their infantry remained intact and fresh.{{sfn|White|1962|p=163}} These critics did not include either Louis XV or [[Frederick the Great]], who viewed Fontenoy as a tactical masterpiece and invited Saxe to [[Sanssouci]] to discuss it.{{sfn|MacDonogh|1999|p=206}} 

On the other hand, Cumberland performed poorly as a commander, ignoring advice from his more experienced subordinates, failing to ensure the ''Bois de Barry'' was properly cleared and issuing Ingoldsby with conflicting orders. Although praised for his courage, the inactivity of the Allied cavalry was partly due to his participation in the infantry attack, and loss of strategic oversight.{{sfn|Weigley|1991|p=208}} Ligonier and others viewed Fontenoy as a "defeat snatched from the jaws of victory" and although understandable for a 24-year-old in his first major engagement, the same faults were apparent at the [[Battle of Lauffeld]] in 1747.{{sfn|Oliphant|2015|p=54}}

In the recriminations that followed, Ingoldsby was [[court martial]]led for the delay in attacking the ''Redoubt d'Eu'', although his claim to have received inconsistent orders was clearly supported by the evidence. He himself was wounded, while the largest casualties of any units involved were incurred by two regiments from his brigade, the [[Suffolk Regiment|12th Foot]] and ''Böselager's''. The court concluded his actions arose 'from an error of judgement, not want of courage', but he was forced out of the army, a decision many considered unjust.{{sfn|Skrine|1906|p=233}} Cumberland and some of his staff also blamed the Dutch for not relieving pressure on the centre by continuing their attack on Fontenoy.{{sfn|Charteris|2012|pp=178–179}} Dutch cavalry commander Casimir van Schlippenbach echoed this criticism, although failure was largely due to the confusion caused by Cumberland himself, while the Dutch infantry retreated in good order.{{sfn|McNally|2017|p=46}}

[[File:William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland.png|thumb|left|upright=0.8|Allied commander [[William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland|Cumberland]], whose personal courage was offset by poor battlefield control]]

Regardless, Waldeck was critical of the lack of initiative displayed by his troops, as was [[Isaac Cronström]], head of the Dutch infantry. Born in 1661, the latter fought at Malplaquet, where the Dutch had continued to attack French entrenchments despite incurring very heavy casualties. In a letter to Grand Pensionary [[Anthonie van der Heim]], he noted "these troops are [not] like those in the previous war", while in his official report to the [[States General of the Netherlands|States General]], Waldeck claimed "the famous old Dutch courage" had gone. These conclusions led to an intensive programme of retraining, and the Dutch performed significantly better at [[Battle of Rocoux|Rocoux]] in 1746.{{sfn|Van Nimwegen|2002|pp=113–114}} However, the war confirmed the decline of the Dutch Republic as a Great Power; [[Duke of Newcastle (PM)|Newcastle]], whose foreign policy had assumed the opposite, later berated himself for his "ignorance, obstinacy, and credulity", in believing otherwise.{{sfn|Browning|1975|p=150}}

With no hope of relief, Tournai surrendered on 20 June, followed by the loss of [[Ostend]] and [[Nieuwpoort, Belgium|Nieuport]]; in October, the British were forced to divert resources to deal with the [[Jacobite rising of 1745]], allowing Saxe to continue his advance in 1746.{{sfn|Browning|1975|p=219}} Despite the presence of Dutch troops in the Pragmatic Army, France did not declare war on the Dutch Republic itself until 1747. This decision made their financial situation even worse, since French merchants had evaded the British naval blockade by transporting their goods in "neutral" Dutch ships.{{sfn|Scott|2015|p=61}} By the end of 1747, France had occupied most of the Austrian Netherlands and was on the verge of advancing into Dutch territory, but their economy was being strangled by the blockade, which was also causing widespread food shortages.{{sfn|McKay|1983|pp=138–140}} Peace was a matter of extreme urgency and despite the huge military and financial costs incurred, under the 1748 [[Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (1748)|Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle]] Louis XV agreed to evacuate the Austrian Netherlands for minimal return, leading to a popular French phrase "as stupid as the Peace".{{sfn|McLynn|2008|p=1}}

===Legacy===
The participation of the Irish Brigade and the casualties incurred led 19th and early 20th-century [[Irish nationalist]]s to portray Fontenoy as the "pinnacle of Irish military valour", with the battle giving its name to a variety of streets, buildings and athletic clubs. In 1905, nationalist author [[Richard Barry O'Brien]] founded a committee to fund an Irish Brigade memorial in the village of Fontenoy, where it still features in annual commemorations of the battle.{{sfn|McGarry|2020}}

When surveying the battlefield, Louis XV reportedly said: "See how much blood a triumph costs. The blood of our enemies is still the blood of men. The true glory is to save it." In 1968, the French army installed a memorial in the neighbouring town of Vezon which bears this quotation.{{sfn|Carroll|2004}}

==References==

===Notes===
{{notelist|1<!--single column-->}}

===Citations===
{{reflist|25em}}

===Sources===
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book |last1=Anderson |first1=M. S. |title=The War of the Austrian Succession 1740–1748 |year=1995 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-582-05950-4}}
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* {{cite book |last1=Browning |first1=Reed |title=The War of the Austrian Succession |year=1975 |edition=1995|publisher=Griffin |isbn=978-0-312-12561-5}}
* {{cite journal|last=Carroll|first=Susan|title=The battle for Fontenoy|journal=History Ireland|year=2004|volume=12|issue=2|url=https://www.historyireland.com/the-battle-for-fontenoy/|access-date=16 August 2022}}
* {{cite book |last1=Castex |first1=Jean-Claude |title=Dictionnaire des batailles franco-anglaises de la Guerre de Succession d'Autriche |year=2012 |publisher=Les Ã ditions du Phare-Ouest|isbn=978-2-921668-06-4}}
* {{cite book|last=Chandler|first= David G.|title=The Art of Warfare in the Age of Marlborough |publisher=Spellmount |year=1990 |isbn=0-946771-42-1 }}
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{{refend}}

===Bibliography===
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book |last=Geerdink-Schaftenaar |first=Marc |title=For Orange and the States, part I: Infantry |publisher=Helion Publishing |year=2018 |isbn=978-1-911512-15-8}}
* {{cite book |last1=Van Nimwegen |first1=Olaf|title=The Dutch Army and the Military Revolutions, 1588–1688 |date=2010 |publisher=Boydell Press |isbn=978-1-84383-575-2}}
{{refend}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fontenoy1745, Battle Of}}
[[Category:Battles involving France]]
[[Category:Battles involving Great Britain]]
[[Category:Battles involving Hanover]]
[[Category:Battles involving the Dutch Republic]]
[[Category:Battles involving Austria]]
[[Category:Battles of the War of the Austrian Succession]]
[[Category:Conflicts in 1745]]
[[Category:1745 in France]]
[[Category:1745 in Great Britain]]
[[Category:1745 in the Dutch Republic]]
[[Category:1745 in the Habsburg monarchy]]
[[Category:Flight of the Wild Geese]]
[[Category:History of Hainaut|Battle]]
[[Category:Louis XV]]
[[Category:Prince William, Duke of Cumberland]]
[[Category:Antoing|Battle]]