Chapter XVI: The Reign of Queen Anne

Accession of the Queen--Meeting of the Houses of
Parliament--Scotland and Ireland--Power of Marlborough--The
Revenue--Tory Colour of the Ministry--The Coronation--Declaration
of War--Marlborough goes to the Seat of War--General Aspect of
Affairs--Marlborough's Difficulties--His Campaign--Operations by
Sea--Meeting of Parliament--Supply--Marlborough's Dukedom--The
Occasional Conformity Bill--Dismissal of Rochester--Opening
of the Campaign of 1703--Fall of Bonn--Failure to take
Antwerp--Savoy and Portugal join the Allies--Visit of the Archduke
Charles to England--The Storm--Jacobite Conspiracy--Ashby
_versus_ White--Queen Anne's Bounty--Marlborough's Great
Plans--The States-General hoodwinked--His March--Dismay of the
French--Junction with Eugene--Advance on the Danube--Assault
of the Schellenberg--The Prince of Baden's Conceit--Approach
of Tallard--The Eve of Blenheim--The Battle--Conclusion of the
Campaign--Marlborough's Diplomacy--Capture of Gibraltar--Battle of
Malaga--Proceedings in Parliament--The Campaign of 1705--Attempt
to recover Gibraltar--Peterborough's Exploits in Spain--Proposal
to Invite the Electress Sophia to England--Consequent
Legislation--Battle of Ramillies--Eugene relieves Turin--Disasters
in Spain--Meeting of the Commissioners for the Union--Condition of
the Treaty--Opposition in Scotland--Riots in Edinburgh--Conduct of
the Opposition--The Measure carried by Bribery--Its Discussion in
the English Parliament--The Royal Assent given 535