Assault on Brussels (1708)

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Assault on Brussels (1708)

During the War of the Spanish Succession, Brussels became the target of a French and Bourbon Spanish assault from 22 to 27 November 1708. The attackers were led by Maximilian of Bavaria, who hoped to strike a quick blow at a weakly defended city. The garrison and citizens of Brussels, however, were better prepared than expected and were reinforced by Allied troops from the Dutch Republic, the Holy Roman Empire, Britain, and the Southern Netherlands.

Brussels’ defenders, commanded by Governor François de Pascale, held out against 15,000 attackers while the city’s garrison totaled around 6,000. The French bombarded the city and launched multiple assaults. The fighting was fierce and costly, with the French suffering heavy losses as their attacks were repeatedly repelled. Pascale even led a successful counterattack on the attackers’ artillery during the night of November 26, but Maximilian withdrew his forces before they could breach the walls.

The immediate reason for the retreat was the broader strategic situation. Marlborough and Eugene of Savoy were threatening to relieve the besieged French positions elsewhere by crossing the Scheldt River to link up with the Brussels garrison. The Allies managed to force the Scheldt at Kerkhof and Gavere, cutting off French relief and supply lines. French morale weakened, and the attackers pulled back to regroup, abandoning much of their artillery and wounded.

The Brussels action helped set the stage for a decisive Allied turn in the region. Lille, Ghent, and Bruges would soon be retaken, and the Allied siege of Lille would succeed, restoring the eastern supply route and delivering a major blow to Louis XIV’s war aims. The campaign, though costly and lengthy, ended with Allied gains and a strengthened position for the remainder of the winter.