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CHAPTER XVI: French

The emperor Leopold being determined to support the claims of his son, war immediately commenced, and an army was sent into Italy, where he met with great success. Prince Eugene having expelled the French from the Milanese, a grand alliance was formed between Germany, England, and Holland. The avowed objects of this alliance "were to procure satisfaction to his imperial majesty in the case of the Spanish succession; obtain security to the English and Dutch for their dominions and commerce; prevent the union of the monarchies of France and Spain; and hinder the French from possessing the Spanish dominions in America." James II., the exiled king of England, died at St. Germain's, in France, on September 7, 1701; and was succeeded in his nominal titles by his son, James III., better known by the appellation of the Pretender. With more magnanimity than prudence, Louis XIV. recognized his right to the throne his father had abdicated, which could not be considered in any other light than that of an insult to William and the English nation; and the parliament strained every nerve to avenge the indignity offered to the monarch of their choice: but before the actual commencement of hostilities, William met with his death, occasioned by a fall from his horse, A. D. 1702.