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In 1709 the Dutch made an agreement with Townsend on behalve of the British for a barrier treaty. It were roughly two lines. Orange dots. Further the treaty comprised for the Dutch very favorable commercial co sessions.
How ever the battle of Malplaquet did not forced a break through and the war continued. Marlborough fame and fortune at the British court was declining and despite his great achievement between 1709 and 1712 he was forced to resign. Marlborough lead the Allied armies into France. In the meantime the British government changed hands and the British made a separate peace agreement.
The Dutch and Austrians were left alone and start to siege Landries, in order to break the last French defense line and to achieve better positions during the peace negotiations. However the fortified towns of Conde and Valencienes were still occupied by a strong garrison.
While Prince Eugene lead the siege of Landrecies Prince Friso of Orange was tasked with the securing of the communication lines, in which the field fortification of Denain was crucial.
Prince Friso made a good impression on Marlborough during the battle of Malplaquet and Prince Friso become a sort of pupil of the General.
Since Friso had only a limitied number of men under him he ordeered to make extensive lines of defenses around Denain. Since the earthworks were crumbling fast the occupieng forces made several lines of wooden poles and pikes and "cheval frise". Further Prince Friso kept both ponotton bridges and in secret, without informing Eugene he ordered five Battalions from Fagel, the commander of nearby town to reinforce his Garrison.
Villars commanded the French army and when Eugene opened the trenches he start to move his army. He brilliant outmaneuvered Eugene, and if the French were not detected, they might over run the garrison of Denain. However the french were detected on time and the Allied Garrison of Denain could hold the french massive assault just long enough. The French army was routed and started to flee to their pontoon bridges crossing the river, disaster struck when two of the bridges collapsed. More than halve the french army was destroyed and Villars was imprisoned. When the campaign season ended not only Ladrecies was taken but also Conde, Vallencienes, Avennes and Cambrai.
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