Eugene of Savoy
(Francois Eugene)
1663–1736
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Born a weak child, Eugene was destined for monastic life until he spoke up of his desire to join the French army. King Louis XIV, however, refused his request for soldiers, so the young man went instead to Central Europe, where he served with his two cousins under the rule of Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I. He received his first recognition following the Great Turkish War, when he was commended by the Emperor for his skill in combat. The next major battle for Eugene was the Nine Years’ War against France; he remained frustrated by his commanders and contemptuous of their decisions, but Leopold was so impressed by his skill that he granted him the Field-Marshall, and he emerged from the war with an improved reputation. Meanwhile, the Turks had recaptured the recently surrendered city of Belgrade, and Eugene, as newly-chosen commander of the Imperial army, was told to hold a defensive campaign against the Ottomans. Instead, Eugene chose to attack and cut off the Turkish army, winning a decisive victory for the Hapsburgs and destroying his opponents. He returned home a hero.
During the War of the Spanish Succession, Eugene was Austria’s most successful and most commanding officer. He won several small victories against the French, among them the Battle of Carpi, but, starving and short of supplies, he and his men were forced to return to Vienna empty-handed. He went on to become president of the Imperial War Council, and he fought in several more battles against neighboring powers before his chief political opponent, Prince Salm, retired, effectively making him sole leader of the Austrian government. He continued to battle the French as well as the Turks, the latter culminating in the Austro-Turkish War. He passed away in Vienna following the War of the Polish Succession.
Key events during the life of Eugene of Savoy:
| Born | |
| Siege of Vienna | |
| Was made a Major-General | |
| Start of Nine Years' War | |
| Promoted to Field-Marshal | |
| Made Supreme Commander of the Hapsurg forces | |
| War of the Spanish Succession | |
| Elected president of the Imperial War Council | |
| Chosen as governor of the Netherlands | |
| War of the Polish Succession | |
| Died after suffering from pneumonia |
| Book Links |
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Other Resources
| Louis XIV in | Famous Men of Modern Times by John H. Haaren |
| Wars with Russia in | Greatest Nations: Vol X—Turkey by Charles F. Horne |
| in | Greatest Nations: Vol X—Turkey by Charles F. Horne |
| Leopold I in | The History of Germany by Henrietta Elizabeth Marshall |
| Battle of Blenheim in | The Awakening of Europe by M. B. Synge |
Image Links | ||
|---|---|---|
Prince Eugene of Savory in Back Matter |
Prince Eugene and the Marshal De Villars in Back Matter |
 The Hero of Zenta. in Prince Eugene, the Noble Knight |
Prince Eugene before King Louis the Fourteenth. in Prince Eugene, the Noble Knight |
 Prince Eugene before the battle of Malplaquet. in Prince Eugene, the Noble Knight |
 Prince Eugene at Belgrade in Prince Eugene, the Noble Knight |
| French King who expanded the borders of France, and lived in great pomp and splendor. |