Villars
CLAUDE LOUIS HEC- TOR, DUC DE, a French military officer; born in Moulins, France, May 8, 1653.
He early distinguished himself under Turenne, Condé, and Luxembourg, and was created maréchal de camp in 1690, and lieutenant-general in 1693. In the wars of the Spanish succession he was sent to co-operate with the Elector of Bavaria. He defeated Prince Louis of Baden at Friedlingen, Oct. 14, 1702, for which he received the marshal's baton; and having joined the elector he defeated the Prince of Baden at Höchstadt, Sept. 21, 1703. His success in dealing with the insurrection of the Camisards obtained for him the title of duke (1705). Having been sent to defend the frontier against Marlborough, he forced the formidable lines of Stollhofen, near Strassburg, and penetrated far into Germany (1705-1707). In 1709 he replaced Vendôme in Flanders, and fought the battle of Malplaquet against Marlborough and Eugene, in which he was seriously wounded. In 1712 he defeated the allies at Denain, took Marchiennes, and relieved Landrecy. After the peace of Utrecht he opposed Eugene with uninterrupted success, and negotiated with him the peace of Rastadt, March 7, 1714.
On the renewal of the war with Austria in 1733 he was sent to Italy at the head of an army, with the title of Marshal- General of France. After a successful campaign, he died in Turin, Italy, June 14, 1734.