The Franco Bavarian Commanders At Blenheim

On the morning of the 13th of August, 1704, the commanders of the Franco-Bavarian army gathered in the church bell tower in Blenheim village to survey the Duke of Marlborough’s positions. Maximilian II, Elector of Bavaria and Marshall Ferdinand, comte de Marsin, both wanted to oppose Marlborough’s forces at the line of the river Nebel, preventing them from crossing. However, Marshall Camille d’Hostun de la Baume, duc de Tallard, the overall French commander, wanted to let them cross the Nebel before attacking, thus forcing the allied army to fight with the river at their backs. There was a fierce debate but Tallard, being very haughty and full of his own confidence, over-ruled the other two commanders. The allies were thus allowed to cross the Nebel before being engaged, with disastrous consequences for the Franco-Bavarian army.

The Church tower meeting was the only time that all three commanders were together on the day of battle and this vignette captures them in heated debate about their strategy for the impending clash. Marshall Tallard had famously poor eyesight and many believe that it was this short sightedness that made him mistake the layout of the opposition forces at this crucial planning stage. The Elector of Bavaria is shown arguing his case whilst Marshall Marsin offers a telescope so that Tallard can more clearly see the mistake he is making but, sadly, it is all in vain.

This Warlord Resin PlusTM vignette shows Comte de Tallard, Ferdinand, Comte de Marsin and Maximilian Emanuel, Elector of Bavaria arguing over strategy at Blenheim.