James FitzJames, 1st Duke of Berwick facts for kids
{{Infobox noble | name = The Duke of Berwick | title = | image = James FitzStuart, Duke of Berwick.png | caption = | succession = Duke of Berwick | successor = James Fitz-James Stuart | reign = 1687-1734 | reign-type = Period
| spouse =
| issue =
- James Fitz-James Stuart, 2nd Duke of Berwick
- Henry James FitzJames, 2nd Duke of FitzJames
- Henriette de FitzJames
- François Fitz-James, 3rd Duke of FitzJames
- Henry FitzJames
- Charles de FitzJames, 4th Duke of FitzJames
- Laure Anne de FitzJames
- Marie Emilie de FitzJames
- Edouard de FitzJames
- Anne Sophie de FitzJames
- Anne de FitzJames
| noble family = FitzJames | father = James II of England | mother = Arabella Churchill | birth_date = 21 August 1670 | birth_place = Moulins, Bourbonnais, France | death_date = 12 June 1734 (aged 63) | death_place = Philippsburg, Baden,
Holy Roman Empire | religion = Roman Catholicism
| module =
|}
.svg)
Arms of the Dukes of Fitz-James in the Jacobite peerage
James FitzJames, 1st Duke of Berwick (born August 21, 1670 – died June 12, 1734) was an important military leader. He was the son of King James II and VII of England and Scotland, and Arabella Churchill. James FitzJames was also the nephew of the famous general, John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough. He became a very successful general serving the King of France, Louis XIV.
Contents
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  Kingdom of Great Britain Kingdom of France |
|---|---|
| Rank | Marshal of France |
Early Life and First Battles
James FitzJames was born in Moulins, France, before his father became king. He grew up in France and was raised as a Catholic. His mother was Arabella Churchill, who was the sister of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough.
He went to school in France at places like the College of Juilly. James started his military career serving Charles V, Duke of Lorraine. He was part of the siege of Buda, a military attack to capture a city.
In 1687, his father, King James II, gave him the titles Duke of Berwick, Earl of Tinmouth, and Baron Bosworth. After this, he went back to Hungary and fought in the Battle of Mohács.
Serving King James II
When James FitzJames returned to England, he was made the Governor of Portsmouth. King James also made him a Knight of the Order of the Garter. He was given command of a military unit called The Blues.
However, a big event called the Glorious Revolution happened. William of Orange invaded England, and King James II was overthrown. James FitzJames stayed loyal to his father and went into exile with him in 1688.
In 1689, Berwick went with his father to Ireland. He fought in several battles during the Irish campaign, including the Siege of Derry and the Battle of the Boyne. During the Battle of the Boyne, he led a charge and was nearly killed.
After his father left Ireland for France, Berwick stayed with the Jacobite Irish Army. He helped defend Limerick against the Williamite forces. He was also with the French general, the Marquis de St Ruth, at the Battle of Aughrim.
Following the Treaty of Limerick, many Irish soldiers, known as the Wild Geese, left Ireland to serve in armies on the European continent. James II made Berwick the Colonel of the 1st Troop of the Wild Geese.
Serving France: A Great General
After his father was no longer king, Berwick joined the French army. He served under Marshal Luxemburg and fought in battles like Steenkerque. In 1694, he commanded a large part of the French army.
At the Battle of Landen, he was captured by his uncle, Charles Churchill. He was later exchanged for another important prisoner, the Duke of Ormonde.
Because he supported his father and fought against England for France, his British titles were taken away in 1695 by an Act of Parliament.
Success in the War of the Spanish Succession
Berwick was known as a brave and skilled soldier. In 1706, he led a successful attack against Nice. Because of his excellent service in the War of the Spanish Succession, he became a French citizen and was made a Marshal of France.
On April 25, 1707, Berwick won a very important battle at Almanza. Here, an English general (Berwick) leading a French and Spanish army defeated a French general leading an English, Portuguese, and Dutch army. This victory was a huge win for France and Spain. It stopped the Allied forces from putting their chosen king on the Spanish throne.
After Almanza, King Philip V of Spain gave Berwick new Spanish titles: Duque de Liria y Xérica (Duke of Liria and Jérica) and Lieutenant of Aragon. In 1710, Louis XIV also made him Duc de Fitz-James in the Peerage of France.
Berwick continued to show his skill as a military leader. He made smart decisions, even when facing larger enemy forces. For example, at Lille, he prepared the city for a siege and kept his army strong. It is interesting to note that Berwick was the nephew of the famous English general, John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough. They even had contact during the siege of Lille.
Later Campaigns and Death
The last major event of the War of the Spanish Succession was Berwick's capture of Barcelona on September 11, 1714, after a long siege. In that same year, he was honored with the title of Knight of the Golden Fleece.
After this, Berwick became the military governor of the province of Guienne in France. He became good friends with the famous writer Montesquieu.
In December 1718, he led a French army into Spain against King Philip V during the War of the Quadruple Alliance. He attacked San Sebastián and took control of some areas. After this campaign, there were many years of peace.
Berwick was called back to serve in the field in 1733. He led the Army of the Rhine in the War of the Polish Succession. He successfully captured Kehl in 1733. A year later, on June 12, 1734, he was sadly killed by a cannonball during the Siege of Philippsburg.
Family Life
James FitzJames had children from both of his marriages. His family line continued through his descendants, who became the French Dukes of Fitz-James and the Spanish Dukes of Liria and later the Dukes of Alba.
His first marriage was to Honora, Countess of Lucan. She was the 19-year-old widow of General Patrick Sarsfield, 1st Earl of Lucan. They married on March 26, 1695. Honora was the daughter of William Burke, 7th Earl of Clanricarde. Berwick raised Sarsfield's son, James Sarsfield, as his own.
Berwick and Honora had one son:
- James Francis Fitz-James Stuart (born October 21, 1696 – died June 2, 1738). He inherited his father's title, Duke of Berwick. He later married Catalina Ventura Colón de Portugal, who was a descendant of Christopher Columbus.
After Honora's death in 1698, Berwick married Anne Bulkeley on April 18, 1700, in Paris. She was the daughter of Henry Bulkeley. They had many children together, including Charles de Fitz-James, who became the 4th Duke of Fitz-James.
Images for kids
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Arms of the Dukes of Fitz-James in the Jacobite peerage
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Philip V of Spain makes James, Duke of Liria and Jérica after the Battle of Almanza.
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James FitzJames, Duke of Berwick
See also
In Spanish: James Fitz-James, I duque de Berwick para niños
