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Eugene of Savoy: Marlborough's Great Military Partner-Memoirs of Prince Eugene of Savoy & Prince Eugene-Soldier of Fortune
A master of the field of battle in his own words
Anyone who knows of the military genius of John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough, can't fail to have learnt also of the exploits his close personal ally, Prince Eugene of Savoy. Despite a physical frailty, Eugene had an incredible talent for waging war and became, indisputably, one of the most successful military commanders in modern European history. His career spanned six decades and he served three emperors of the Holy Roman Empire. His first battle was fought against the Turks at the Siege of Vienna in 1689 and he subsequently took part in the War of the Holy League, the Nine Years War, against the Turks at Zenta and, most notably, as an ally of Marlborough's during the War of Spanish Succession against the French at Blenheim, Oudenarde and Malplaquet. Eugene's later career included the Austro-Turkish War and the War of Polish Succession. This special Leonaur edition combines Eugene's own account of his career with an overview of the man and his achievements by Alexander Innes Shand.
Leonaur editions are newly typeset and are not facsimiles; each title is available in softcover and hardback with dustjacket; our hardbacks are cloth bound and feature gold foil lettering on their spines and fabric head and tail bands.
Anyone who knows of the military genius of John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough, can't fail to have learnt also of the exploits his close personal ally, Prince Eugene of Savoy. Despite a physical frailty, Eugene had an incredible talent for waging war and became, indisputably, one of the most successful military commanders in modern European history. His career spanned six decades and he served three emperors of the Holy Roman Empire. His first battle was fought against the Turks at the Siege of Vienna in 1689 and he subsequently took part in the War of the Holy League, the Nine Years War, against the Turks at Zenta and, most notably, as an ally of Marlborough's during the War of Spanish Succession against the French at Blenheim, Oudenarde and Malplaquet. Eugene's later career included the Austro-Turkish War and the War of Polish Succession. This special Leonaur edition combines Eugene's own account of his career with an overview of the man and his achievements by Alexander Innes Shand.
Leonaur editions are newly typeset and are not facsimiles; each title is available in softcover and hardback with dustjacket; our hardbacks are cloth bound and feature gold foil lettering on their spines and fabric head and tail bands.
156 pages, Hardcover
First published April 11, 2014
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About the author
Charles-Joseph de Ligne
267 books2 followersCharles-Joseph Lamoral, 7e prince de Ligne was born in Brussels, the son of Field Marshal Claude Lamoral, 6th Prince of Ligne and Elisabeth Alexandrine de Salm.
As an Austrian subject he entered the imperial army at an early age. He distinguished himself by his valour in the Seven Years' War, notably at Breslau, Leuthen, Hochkirch and Maxen, and after the war rose rapidly to the rank of lieutenant field marshal. He became the intimate friend and counsellor of the emperor Joseph II, and, inheriting his father's vast estates, lived in the greatest splendour and luxury till the War of the Bavarian Succession brought him again into active service.
This war was short and uneventful, and the prince then travelled in England, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and France, devoting himself impartially to the courts, the camps, the salons and the learned assemblies of philosophers and scientists in each country. He developed a great admiration for Frederick the Great, even to the point of justifying his seizure of Silesia.
In 1784 he was again employed in military work, and was promoted to Feldzeugmeister. In 1787 he was with Catherine II in Russia and accompanied her in her journey to the Crimea. In 1788 he was present at the siege of Belgrade.
Shortly after the siege of Belgrade he was invited to place himself at the head of the Belgian revolutionary movement, in which one of his sons and many of his relatives were prominent, but declined with great courtesy, saying that "he never revolted in the winter." Though suspected by Joseph of collusion with the rebels, the two friends were not long estranged, and after the death of the emperor the prince remained in Vienna. His Brabant estates were overrun by the French in 1792-1793, and his eldest son killed in action at La Croix-du Bois in the Argonne (September 14, 1792). He was given the rank of field marshal (1809) and an honorary command at court.
As an Austrian subject he entered the imperial army at an early age. He distinguished himself by his valour in the Seven Years' War, notably at Breslau, Leuthen, Hochkirch and Maxen, and after the war rose rapidly to the rank of lieutenant field marshal. He became the intimate friend and counsellor of the emperor Joseph II, and, inheriting his father's vast estates, lived in the greatest splendour and luxury till the War of the Bavarian Succession brought him again into active service.
This war was short and uneventful, and the prince then travelled in England, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and France, devoting himself impartially to the courts, the camps, the salons and the learned assemblies of philosophers and scientists in each country. He developed a great admiration for Frederick the Great, even to the point of justifying his seizure of Silesia.
In 1784 he was again employed in military work, and was promoted to Feldzeugmeister. In 1787 he was with Catherine II in Russia and accompanied her in her journey to the Crimea. In 1788 he was present at the siege of Belgrade.
Shortly after the siege of Belgrade he was invited to place himself at the head of the Belgian revolutionary movement, in which one of his sons and many of his relatives were prominent, but declined with great courtesy, saying that "he never revolted in the winter." Though suspected by Joseph of collusion with the rebels, the two friends were not long estranged, and after the death of the emperor the prince remained in Vienna. His Brabant estates were overrun by the French in 1792-1793, and his eldest son killed in action at La Croix-du Bois in the Argonne (September 14, 1792). He was given the rank of field marshal (1809) and an honorary command at court.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 28, 2025
"Therefore when Louis, hearing of my departure, said, "so much the better, he will never return to this country again", I swore never to enter it but with arms in my hands. I HAVE KEPT MY WORD."
Funky to hear from the horse's mouth, have lost count of his battle wounds (musket shots, shoulder contusions, sword cuts, falling off a horse), and of interest to see where this man's heart was: he would return to Vienna as soon as Emperor Leopold commanded, but his real allegiance would always stay in Torino with the Duke of Savoy, regardless of whether Eugene approved or sometimes not of the Duke's decisions.
The entry from 1697 provides deep insight into Eugene's real world: having returned victorious from Ottoman Bosnia, he has his sword taken from him and is put under house arrest, due to scheming at the court of Leopold I. He is threatened with trial, but the citizens of Vienna, who consider him a hero, surround his house to guard him. He admittedly weeps at the downpour of support from the people.
"During my absence, while I was getting rid of the Turks, the Good Christians of Vienna were endeavouring to get rid of me. Later, the Emperor begged me to resume command of his army, secretly giving me his full authority in a note signed by himself."
Entry of 1698: "I wished to besiege Temeswar [...] I marched at the head of my cavalry - a most infamous campaign for my own glory I ever made."
Entry of 1699: "During this year I began to collect my fine library and conceived a taste for gardens and palaces."
Funky to hear from the horse's mouth, have lost count of his battle wounds (musket shots, shoulder contusions, sword cuts, falling off a horse), and of interest to see where this man's heart was: he would return to Vienna as soon as Emperor Leopold commanded, but his real allegiance would always stay in Torino with the Duke of Savoy, regardless of whether Eugene approved or sometimes not of the Duke's decisions.
The entry from 1697 provides deep insight into Eugene's real world: having returned victorious from Ottoman Bosnia, he has his sword taken from him and is put under house arrest, due to scheming at the court of Leopold I. He is threatened with trial, but the citizens of Vienna, who consider him a hero, surround his house to guard him. He admittedly weeps at the downpour of support from the people.
"During my absence, while I was getting rid of the Turks, the Good Christians of Vienna were endeavouring to get rid of me. Later, the Emperor begged me to resume command of his army, secretly giving me his full authority in a note signed by himself."
Entry of 1698: "I wished to besiege Temeswar [...] I marched at the head of my cavalry - a most infamous campaign for my own glory I ever made."
Entry of 1699: "During this year I began to collect my fine library and conceived a taste for gardens and palaces."
March 2, 2024
On voit bien que le prince n'était pas un écrivain. Sans connaissance intime de sa vie et de ses campagnes ce recueil de mémoires est souvent très difficile à suivre. Cependant, le dernier quart du livre est plutôt direct et très intéressant.
September 9, 2019
Useful breakdown of the life and battles of Eugene of Savoy. Like most memoirs, somewhat embellished.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews