Blenheim

blen'im, a village of Bavaria situated twenty-three miles northwest of Augsburg. Several important battles have taken place in its vicinity, the chief of which, known as the battle of Blenheim, occurred August 13, 1704. Marlborough and Prince Eugene, at the heads of the united forces of Holland, England, Austria, and the German Empire, won a notable victory over the forces of France and Bavaria. It is estimated that about 100,000 men were engaged, about evenly divided between the opposing sides. The French lost 10,000 killed and wounded; many were drowned in the Danube, and 13,000 were taken prisoners. In consequence of this victory the name Blenheim became popular in England. The government of Queen Anne rewarded Marlborough handsomely. A fine estate near Oxford was presented to him, and its name was changed to Blenheim Park. A magnificent palace, called Blenheim House, was erected on it at an expense of $3,000,000. The battle of Blenheim is the subject of a well known poem by Robert Southey, closing:

See Marlborough