Template:/box-header1 The military history of France includes both those military actions centered on the territory encompassing modern France, and the military history of French-speaking peoples of European descent, both in Europe and in Europe's overseas possessions and territories.
If starting from the Franks, French military history encompasses about 1,500 years. However, the Gauls are the more preferred and popular starting point, partly because Gallo-Roman culture laid the foundation for the current French people. In that case, the breadth and scope of French military history extends for a few more centuries. Such lengthy periods of warfare have allowed peoples of France to often be at the forefront of military developments, and as a result military trends emerging in France have had a decisive impact on European and world history.
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The
Battle of Ramillies was a major engagement of the
War of the Spanish Succession fought on 23 May 1706. The encounter was a resounding success for the allied forces of
England, the
Dutch Republic, and
Denmark; but the battle had followed a year of indecisive campaigning in 1705 where Allied over-confidence after their success at the
Battle of Blenheim had resulted in an abortive campaign along the
Moselle, forcing the
Duke of Marlborough to abandon his plans for a push into France. Yet despite the Allies' inability to achieve a decisive victory,
Louis XIV was eager for peace; but he wanted it on reasonable terms. Therefore, rather than standing on the defensive, French armies on all fronts swung over to the offensive. The year 1706 had begun well for Louis XIV's generals, who had gained early success in Italy and in
Alsace, where Marshal
Villars had forced the
Margrave of Baden to retreat across the
Rhine. Louis now pressed Marshal
Villeroi to seek out Marlborough and bring the Allies to battle in the
Spanish Netherlands. Accordingly, the French Marshal set off from
Louvain at the head of 60,000 men, and provocatively marched towards
Léau. Marlborough, also determined to fight a major engagement, assembled his forces – some 62,000 men – near
Maastricht, before advancing towards the
Mehaigne river and the plain of Ramillies. However, the French had anticipated the Allies, and Marlborough's advance party found the location already occupied. Nevertheless, the Duke decided to attack at once.
