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James FitzJames, Duke of Berwick

Philip V of Spain creates the James FitzJames Duc de Fitz-James in the Peerage of France, after he soundly defeated the Allies at the Battle of Almanza. Painting by Jean Dominique Auguste Ingres.

James FitzJames, 1st Duke of Berwick (21 August 1670 – 12 June 1734) was a French military leader, illegitimate son of King James II of England by Arabella Churchill, sister of the 1st Duke of Marlborough. In 1695 he married Honora Burke, the widow of the 1st Earl of Lucan, who died in 1698. His second marriage, with Anne Bulkeley, daughter of Henry Bulkeley, took place in 1700.

FitzJames was born at Moulins in France before his father's accession to the throne, and was brought up a Roman Catholic and educated in the College of Juilly, the College du Plessis, and the Jesuit College of La Flèche. He went into the service of Charles, Duke of Lorraine and was present at the siege of Buda. FitzJames was created Duke of Berwick, Earl of Tinmouth and Baron Bosworth by his father in 1687.^[1] He then returned to Hungary and participated at the Battle of Mohács.

Berwick returned to England and was made Governor of Portsmouth. King James made him a Knight of the Garter, but due to the invasion of the Prince of Orange, the installation never took place. In the following year, James was overthrown and Berwick went into exile with him, taking an active part in the Irish campaign, including the Battle of the Boyne. After his father's final exile, Berwick served in the French army. He fought at the battles of Steenkerque and Landen. At the latter, Berwick was taken prisoner, but was exchanged for the Duke of Ormonde.

As a soldier, Berwick was highly esteemed for his courage, abilities and integrity. As a result of distinguished service in the War of the Spanish Succession, he became a French subject and was appointed a Marshal of France after his successful expedition against Nice in 1706. On 25 April 1707, Berwick won the great and decisive victory of Almanza, where an Englishman at the head of a Franco-Spanish army defeated Ruvigny, a Frenchman at the head of an Anglo-Portuguese-Dutch army. After Almanza, Berwick was created Duc de Fitz-James in the Peerage of France by Louis XIV, and Duque de Liria y Xérica and Lieutenant of Aragon by Philip V of Spain. The last great event of the War of the Spanish Succession was the storming of Barcelona by Berwick, after a long siege, on 11 September 1714.

Not long thereafter, Berwick was appointed military governor of the province of Guienne, where he became friendly with Montesquieu. In 1718 he found himself under the necessity of once more entering Spain with an army; and this time he had to fight against Philip V (War of the Quadruple Alliance) . Many years of peace followed this campaign, and Berwick was not again called to serve in the field until 1733. In that year he was chosen to lead the Army of the Rhine in the War of the Polish Succession, but was killed by a cannon ball at the siege of Philippsburg, June 12, 1734.

Berwick had children by both his marriages: to Honora Burke and Anne Bulkeley. His descendants were the French Ducs de Fitz-James and the Spanish Duques de Liria.

This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.