Siege of Turin

Quick Facts: Who was Siege of Turin?

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Siege of Turin

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The 1706 siege and relief battle during the War of the Spanish Succession.

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Origins & Early Life

The Siege of Turin, June to September 1706, took place during the War of the Spanish Succession. A French army led by Louis de la Feuillade besieged the Savoyard capital of Turin, whose relief by Prince Eugene of Savoy has been called the most brilliant campaign of the war in Italy. The siege is also famous for the death of Piedmontese hero Pietro Micca. By 1706, France occupied most of the Duchy of Savoy, with the exception of its capital Turin. On 19 April, Louis Joseph, Duke of Vendôme, consolidated the French position in Lombardy by victory at Calcinato.

Career & Major Achievements

Shortly afterwards, Prince Eugene resumed command of Imperial troops in Northern Italy, while Vendôme was recalled to France in July, and replaced by the Duke of Orleans. Siege operations began on 2 June but made little progress, while Prince Eugene out manoeuvred the French field army under Orleans, and joined forces with 7,000 cavalry led by Victor Amadeus II of Sardinia. Despite being outnumbered overall, the Allies were able to concentrate their forces; on 7 September, they attacked the French south of Turin, and after fierce fighting, broke through their lines. The French were forced to withdraw from Northern Italy, allowing Victor Amadeus to recover most of Piedmont, although his possessions north of the Alps were held by France until 1713. In March 1707, France, Savoy and Emperor Joseph signed the Convention of Milan, ending the war in Italy.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The War of the Spanish Succession was triggered by the death in November 1700 of the childless Charles II of Spain. He named his heir as Philip of Anjou, grandson of Louis XIV of France, and on 16 November, he became king of the Spanish Empire. In addition to mainland Spain, this included the Spanish Netherlands, large parts of Italy, and much of Central and South America. In 1701, disputes over territorial and commercial rights led to war between France, Spain, and the Grand Alliance, whose candidate was Charles, younger son of Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor. Fighting in Northern Italy centred on the Spanish-held Duchies of Milan and Mantua, which were considered essential to the security of Austria's southern borders.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1700: 1700 Milestone — The War of the Spanish Succession was triggered by the death in November 1700 of the childless Charles II of Spain.
2. 1701: 1701 Milestone — In 1701, disputes over territorial and commercial rights led to war between France, Spain, and the Grand Alliance, whose candidate was Charles, younger son of Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor.
3. 1706: 1706 Milestone — The Siege of Turin, June to September 1706, took place during the War of the Spanish Succession.
4. 1707: 1707 Milestone — In March 1707, France, Savoy and Emperor Joseph signed the Convention of Milan, ending the war in Italy.
5. 1713: 1713 Milestone — The French were forced to withdraw from Northern Italy, allowing Victor Amadeus to recover most of Piedmont, although his possessions north of the Alps were held by France until 1713.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Siege of Turin

True or False: “Prince Eugene's successful campaign to relieve Turin was considered less brilliant than Marlborough's march to the Danube.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The text explicitly states that Prince Eugene's relief of Turin has been called 'the most brilliant campaign of the war in Italy,' comparable to Marlborough's feat.

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