James Fitzjames, 1st Duke Of Berwick

James FitzJames, 1st Duke of Berwick-upon-Tweed ( August 21 , 1670 – June 12 , 1734 ) was a French military leader, illegitimate son of King James II Of England and VII of Scotland by Arabella Churchill , sister of the Duke Of Marlborough . In 1695 he married Honora Burke , the widow of Patrick Sarsfield , who died in 1698 . His second marriage, with Anne Bulkeley , took place in 1700 .

FitzJames was born at Moulins in France before his father's accession to the throne, and was brought up a Roman Catholic and educated by the Jesuits . He went into the service of Charles, Duke Of Lorraine and was present at the siege of Buda . FitzJames was created Duke Of Berwick by his father in 1687 , as well as '''Baron of Bosworth''' and '''Earl of Tinmouth'''. He then returned to Hungary and participated at the Battle Of Mohács .

He returned to England and was made Governor of Portsmouth . King James made Fitzjames a Knight Of The Garter , but due to the invasion of the Prince Of Orange , the installation never took place. In the following year, James was overthrown and Berwick went into exile with him, taking an active part in the Irish Campaign , including the Battle Of The Boyne . After his father's final exile, Berwick served in the French army. He fought at the battles of Steinkirk and Landen . At the latter, Berwick was taken prisoner, but was exchanged for the Duke Of Ormonde .

As a soldier, Berwick was highly esteemed for his courage, abilities and integrity. As a result of distinguished service in the War Of The Spanish Succession , he became a French subject and was appointed a Marshal Of France after his successful expedition against Nice in 1706 . On the April 25 , 1707 , Berwick won the great and decisive victory of Almanza , where an Englishman at the head of a French army defeated Ruvigny , a Frenchman at the head of an English army. After Almanza, Berwick was created Duc de Fitz-James in the Peerage Of France by Louis XIV , and '''Duque de Liria y Xéreca''' and lieutenant of Aragon by Philip V Of Spain . The last great event of the War of the Spanish Succession was the storming of Barcelona by Berwick, after a long siege, on September 11 , 1714 .

Not long thereafter, Berwick was appointed military governor of the province of Guienne , where he became friendly with Montesquieu . In 1718 he found himself under the necessity of once more entering Spain with an army; and this time he had to fight against Philip V ( War Of The Quadruple Alliance ) . Many years of peace followed this campaign, and Berwick was not again called to serve in the field until 1733 . In that year he was chosen to lead the army of the Rhine in the War Of The Polish Succession , but was killed by a cannon ball at the siege of Philippsburg , June 12 , 1734 .

FitzJames had children by both his marriages: to Honora Burke and Anne Bulkely. His descendants were the French Ducs De Fitz-James and the Spanish Duques de Liria .

REFERENCES

A more detailed bio of him

Petrie, Sir Charles (1953) ''The Marshal Duke of Berwick: The Picture of an Age''. London: Eyre & Spottiswoode

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James Fitzjames, 1st Duke Of Berwick