Battle of Chiari

Battle of Chiari
Part of the War of the Spanish Succession
Battle of Chiari, Jan van Huchtenburg
Date 1 September 1701 Location Chiari, Lombardy, Italy 45°32′N 9°56′E / 45.533°N 9.933°E / 45.533; 9.933 Result Austrian victory
Belligerents
Austria	France Spain  Savoy
Commanders and leaders
Eugene of Savoy	Duke of Villeroi
Strength
22,000[1]	38,000[2]
Casualties and losses
200–300 killed and wounded[a][b]	2,000–3,800 killed and wounded[4]

The Battle of Chiari was fought on 1 September 1701 during the War of the Spanish Succession. The engagement was part of Prince Eugene of Savoy's campaign to seize the Spanish controlled Duchy of Milan in the Italian peninsula, and had followed his victory over Marshal Catinat at the Battle of Carpi in July. Marshal Villeroi replaced Catinat as commander of the Franco–Spanish–Savoyard forces in the theatre, carrying with him orders from King Louis XIV to push the Imperialists out of Italy.

Foreseeing Villeroi's intention of attacking at any price, Eugene entrenched himself in front of the small fortress of Chiari, and waited for the attack. In a battle that lasted several hours the Austrians inflicted heavy casualties on Villeroi's forces, gaining an overwhelming victory. The victory in the campaign established Eugene in Lombardy, and helped to persuade the Maritime Powers to come to the aid of the Emperor. Within a week of the battle England, the Dutch Republic, and Leopold I had signed the second treaty of the Grand Alliance.

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