We use cookies to make your experience better. By continuing to browse our site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn more.
The Battle of Denain by Simon Batten
£29.95
Available
Product Ref. (e.g. ISBN, SKU)
9781804518397
Published:
15 Sep 2025
Format:
Paperback
Number of pages:
312 pages
Dimensions:
248x180mm
Weight:
0.000kgs
Author:
XIV's France was in a desperate state, facing imminent invasion. This book tells the story of the little-known battle which saved France and gave the Sun King the final triumph of his long reign.
After ten years of the War of Spanish Succession and repeated defeats in Flanders, Louis XIV's France was in a desperate state, facing imminent invasion. This book tells the story of the little-known battle which saved France and gave the Sun King the final triumph of his long reign.
This is the first full account of the 1712 campaign in English; previous Anglophone historians of the war have focused on the iconic figure of the Duke of Marlborough, to the detriment of our understanding of Britain's true role in the multi-national alliance fighting Louis XIV's France. In particular, the contribution of the Dutch Republic has been neglected and misrepresented, and Denain was primarily a Dutch battle. 'The Battle of Denain' explores the diplomatic moves early in the year which caused the British troops to march away and leave the Dutch and Imperial forces to face the French army for the remainder of the campaign and examines the extent to which this explains the French victory at Denain. The author's use of French and Dutch primary sources enables us to have a more rounded view of the 1712 campaign. As well as the central figure of Louis XIV himself, four generals receive particular attention: The Allied commander Prince Eugene and his French counterpart Marshal Villars will be well known to many readers, but the Earl of Albemarle, the Dutch commander at Denain, and the Duke of Ormonde, the leader of the British contingent, are less likely to be familiar figures.
This is the first full account of the 1712 campaign in English; previous Anglophone historians of the war have focused on the iconic figure of the Duke of Marlborough, to the detriment of our understanding of Britain's true role in the multi-national alliance fighting Louis XIV's France. In particular, the contribution of the Dutch Republic has been neglected and misrepresented, and Denain was primarily a Dutch battle. 'The Battle of Denain' explores the diplomatic moves early in the year which caused the British troops to march away and leave the Dutch and Imperial forces to face the French army for the remainder of the campaign and examines the extent to which this explains the French victory at Denain. The author's use of French and Dutch primary sources enables us to have a more rounded view of the 1712 campaign. As well as the central figure of Louis XIV himself, four generals receive particular attention: The Allied commander Prince Eugene and his French counterpart Marshal Villars will be well known to many readers, but the Earl of Albemarle, the Dutch commander at Denain, and the Duke of Ormonde, the leader of the British contingent, are less likely to be familiar figures.
About the Author: Simon Batten studied Modern History at Jesus College, Oxford, where the experience of studying under Sir Michael Howard inspired him to pursue his interest in military history. He has taught History at Bloxham School since 1985 and is also the school archivist; he also coaches rugby. Simon has conducted numerous battlefield tours and has written articles on British commanders in the First World War, as well as lecturing on the subject. His twin interests in sports coaching and military history has led to a fascination with the question of how armies learn from their experiences and how they prepare for war. He is the author of A Shining Light (2010).
| Number of pages | 312 |
|---|
We will despatch your order as quickly as we can. If, for whatever reason, a product is out of stock we will contact you to discuss the likely delivery time or an alternative product.
| First Item | 2 Items & Over | |
|---|---|---|
| UK | £3.75 | £5.00 |
| EU | £15.00 | £30.00 |
| USA & Canada | £30.00 | £50.00 |
| Rest of the World | £45.00 | £60.00 |
| Collect in Store | free | free |
Additional Delivery Information (and some really important bits):
UK Delivery
Orders for delivery in the UK are normally despatched by Royal Mail, using the RM 48 Tracked Service with most orders delivered to you within a few days of placing your order with us. For larger parcels, Courier and Signed For delivery services may be used. Signed Books are shipped in our specially made book mailing cartons, with the books themselves wrapped in paper to protect them. Sometimes we may ship your order in several parts, particularly if you have 'Pre-Order' titles in your order or titles which are held in stock with our publishing partners.
The Really Important Bit: Because we use tracked, courier and signed for delivery services, please use an address at which your parcel can be received during the normal working day, for example, you may want to have your order delivered to your work address if you're not at home during the day.
First Item @ £3.75 (sometimes a shipping supplement may be added for particularly heavy books or specific postcodes*)
2 Items & over @ £5.00 in total
Another Really Important Bit: There are a number of Postcodes in the UK for which we will need to charge a shipping supplement, this will be calculated once we know the size and weight of the shipment. For these orders we will contact customers to agree a suitable and economic method of shipping. There may also be additional time required for delivery to some areas of the United Kingdom. Where possible, we will ship book orders (under 2kg) by Royal Mail to all UK postcodes. Large multiple book orders and books over 2kg are often shipped via APC Overnight or similar, regardless of Postcode.
Overseas Delivery
Shipments to EU countries:
First Item @ £15.00 (sometimes a shipping supplement will be added for particularly heavy books)
2 Items & over @ £30.00 in total
A really, really important Brexit bit: From 1st January 2021 shipments to EU addresses may incur additional costs which could be requested by Fed Ex at the time of delivery. These costs may vary from country to country and are not within our control and will be in addition to the costs paid to us for your delivery. If in any doubt, please check with your local Fed Ex office what, if any, additional costs will be applicable to your order - https://www.fedex.com
From 1st July 2021, VAT will be applicable to those EU countries where VAT is applied to books - this additional charge will be collected by Fed Ex (or the Royal Mail) at the time of delivery.
Shipments to the USA & Canada:
First Item @ £30.00
2 Items & over @ £50.00 in total
A really, really important USA Tarriff bit: From 29th August 2025 shipments to the USA are likely to incur additional duties, taxes and/or tarriffs which will be requested by the courier at the time of delivery. These costs may vary from state to state and are not within our control. These local duties, taxes and/or tarriffs will be in addition to the costs paid to us for your delivery. If you are in any doubt, please check with your local Tax Official or Fed Ex office what, if any, additional costs will be applicable to your order. The primary HTS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule) Code for a hardback book is 4901.99.0070 - https://www.fedex.com
Shipments to the Rest of the World:
First Item @ £45.00
2 Items & over @ £60.00 in total
All overseas orders are shipped using a 'signed for' courier service - please provide an address at which your parcel can be signed for on receipt. We use the same packaging materials for our overseas deliveries as we do those in the UK. In some cases, particularly large and heavy books, or books being shipped to remote areas, may incur an additional shipping charge - if this is the case with your order, we'll notify you as quickly as possible of these charges and to arrange the additional payment. You can of course cancel your order with an immediate refund should you not wish to accept these additional costs. Shipments to overseas territories may incur additional Duty & Tax costs which could be requested by Fed Ex at the time of delivery. These costs may vary from country to country and are not within our control and will be in addition to the costs paid to us for your delivery. If in any doubt, please check with your local Fed Ex office what, if any, additional Tax & Duty costs will be applicable to your order - https://www.fedex.com
Collect in Person at Coles Books
We're open Monday - Saturday, 9:00am - 5:30pm. If you're collecting your order, please wait until you get the text, phone call or email from us, just to be on the safe side and to ensure we have your order ready for you on arrival (we'll use the contact information provided during checkout). Not everything on our website is available for immediate collection, please do wait for the text, call or email - if time is of the essence, we'd suggest you call us on 01869 320779 and check availability prior to placing your order. You can pick up your order from the till, please bring a copy of your email receipt (electronic or printed is fine).
Coming by Car
If you're coming to Coles by car, why not take advantage of the 2 hours free parking at Sainsbury's Pioneer Square - just follow the signs for Pioneer Square as you drive into Bicester and park in the multi-storey car park above the supermarket. Come down the travelators, exit Sainsbury's, turn right and follow the pedestrianised walkway to Crown Walk and turn right - and Coles will be right in front of you. You don't need to shop in Sainsbury's to get the free parking!
Where to Find Us
Coles Books
22 Crown Walk
Pioneer Square
Bicester, Oxfordshire
OX26 6HY, United Kingdom
It was the most impressive packaging that I have EVER SEEN!!! The books were in perfect condition!!!!!
Super fast delivery and well packaged. Quality item and service!