ABSTRACT
The War of the Spanish Succession was fought to maintain a balance of power in Europe. By 1700, in the eyes of William III and others, Louis XIV of France had threatened the equilibrium of European politics by agreeing to his grandson, Philip, Duke of Anjou, succeeding to the throne of Spain following the death of the Spanish King Charles II. As Director of Hospitals throughout the years that Marlborough fought in Flanders, John Hudson maintained meticulous accounts that were submitted for audit on a monthly and annual basis. The significant degree of cooperation between the allied leaders at this time, especially in casualty care, is evident in the response that Blake received to his requests from the Duke of Wurtemburg, the local ruler. At Heidenheim, by the time the facilities there closed, in addition to those admitted directly from the lines of communication, some 1,710 sick and wounded had passed through the hospital en route to Flanders from Nordlingen.
