Siege of Lille (1708)

==Siege==

==Siege==

[[File:De kamerdienaar van de Prins van Oranje wordt dodelijk geraakt tijdens het Beleg van Rijsel in 1708.jpg|thumb|The chamberlain of the [[John William Friso|Prince of Orange]] is shot during the Siege of Lille.]]

[[File:De kamerdienaar van de Prins van Oranje wordt dodelijk geraakt tijdens het Beleg van Rijsel in 1708.jpg|thumb|The chamberlain of the [[John William Friso|Prince of Orange]] is shot during the Siege of Lille.]]

Prince Eugene, who was given command of the siege operations, surrounded the city with approximately 40,000 troops on August 13. Meanwhile, Marlborough and the [[Henry de Nassau, Lord Overkirk|Lord of Ouwerkerk]], with over 60,000 men, were tasked with covering the siege against the French field army, led by Vendôme and the [[Louis, Duke of Burgundy|Duke of Burgundy]].{{sfn|Van Nimwegen|2020|p=304}} The French general [[James FitzJames, 1st Duke of Berwick|Berwick]] initially believed that the Allies would besiege Mons and thus failed to intercept the convoy. When he realized his mistake, he hastily sent reinforcements to the city.{{Sfn|Holmes|2009|p=396}} Eugene, with his Imperial troops, established his headquarters on the eastern side of the city, while the [[John William Friso|Prince of Orange]], commanding the Anglo-Dutch troops, oversaw operations on the western side. Guillaume le Vasseur des Rocques and Lucas du Mée were appointed as the engineers responsible for directing the siege.{{Sfn|Wijn|1959|p=332–337}} Both served in the [[Dutch States Army]], as the Dutch had the only large and experienced corps of engineers among the Allies and provided the siege artillery.{{sfn|Ostwald|2006|p=110}}

Prince Eugene, who was given command of the siege operations, surrounded the city with approximately 40,000 troops on August 13. Meanwhile, Marlborough and the [[Henry de Nassau, Lord Overkirk|Lord of Ouwerkerk]], with over 60,000 men, were tasked with covering the siege against the French field army, led by Vendôme and the [[Louis, Duke of Burgundy|Duke of Burgundy]].{{sfn|Van Nimwegen|2020|p=304}} The French general [[James FitzJames, 1st Duke of Berwick|Berwick]] initially believed that the Allies would besiege Mons and thus failed to intercept the convoy. When he realized his mistake, he hastily sent reinforcements to the city.{{Sfn|Holmes|2009|p=396}} Eugene, with his Imperial troops, established his headquarters on the eastern side of the city, while the [[John William Friso|Prince of Orange]], commanding the Anglo-Dutch troops, oversaw operations on the western side. Guillaume le Vasseur des Rocques and Lucas du Mée were appointed as the engineers responsible for directing the siege.{{Sfn|Wijn|1959|p=332–337}} Both served in the [[Dutch States Army]], as the Dutch had the only large and experienced corps of engineers among the Allies and provided the entire [[Train (military)|siege artillery train]].{{sfn|Ostwald|2006|p=110}}

On the 14th, the besiegers began constructing the [[Investment (military)|circumvallation]], while the defenders burned the suburbs and strengthened their fortifications. The Prince of Orange initially had initially set up his headquarters in the village of [[Lambersart]]. However, it was too close to the city and: {{Blockquote|on the morning of August 18, a cannonball struck the building. While the prince was getting dressed, a cannonball entered through an open window, passing just five or six fingers' breadth from his face and decapitating his valet, du Cerceau, who was assisting him. The unfortunate man fell dead instantly, without uttering a sound. His blood and brains splattered onto the prince's robe and even reached the ceiling.}} The prince then decided to move his headquarters further back.{{sfn|Van Nimwegen|2020|p=306}}

On the 14th, the besiegers began constructing the [[Investment (military)|circumvallation]], while the defenders burned the suburbs and strengthened their fortifications. The Prince of Orange initially had initially set up his headquarters in the village of [[Lambersart]]. However, it was too close to the city and: {{Blockquote|on the morning of August 18, a cannonball struck the building. While the prince was getting dressed, a cannonball entered through an open window, passing just five or six fingers' breadth from his face and decapitating his valet, du Cerceau, who was assisting him. The unfortunate man fell dead instantly, without uttering a sound. His blood and brains splattered onto the prince's robe and even reached the ceiling.}} The prince then decided to move his headquarters further back.{{sfn|Van Nimwegen|2020|p=306}}