On 20 Aug 1702 William Bowes of Streatlam (age 45) was elected MP Durham during the Parliament 1A1.

In 1702 at the commencement of the War of the Spanish Succession the Allied Army commanded by John Churchill 1st Duke Marlborough (age 51) captured Venlo, Roermond, Stevensweert and Liège.

Evelyn's Diary. 01 Dec 1702. After the excess of honor conferred by the Queen (age 37) on the Earl of Marlborough (age 52), by making him a Knight of the Garter and a Duke, for the success of but one campaign, that he should desire £5,000 a year to be settled on him by Parliament out of the Post Office, was thought a bold and unadvised request, as he had, besides his own considerable estate, above £30,000 a year in places and employments, with £50,000 at interest. He had married one daughter (age 21) to the son (age 24) of my Lord Treasurer Godolphin (age 57), another (age 19) to the Earl of Sunderland (age 27), and a third (age 15) to the Earl of Bridgewater (age 21). He is a very handsome person, well-spoken and affable, and supports his (age 52) want of acquired knowledge by keeping good company.

Evelyn's Diary. 01 Jan 1703. News of Vice-Admiral Benbow's conflict with the French fleet in the West Indies, in which he gallantly behaved himself, and was wounded, and would have had extraordinary success, had not four of his men-of-war stood spectators without coming to his assistance; for this, two of their commanders were tried by a Council of War, and executed; a third was condemned to perpetual imprisonment, loss of pay, and incapacity to serve in future. The fourth died.

On 23 Oct 1702 the Battle of Vigo Bay was a naval engagement at which the English fleet captured or sank the Spanish Treasure fleet.

Evelyn's Diary. 01 Dec 1702. The expectation now is, what treasure will be found on breaking bulk of the galleon brought from Vigo by Sir George Rooke (age 52), which being made up in an extraordinary manner in the hold, was not begun to be opened till the fifth of this month, before two of the Privy Council, two of the chief magistrates of the city, and the Lord Treasurer (age 57).

Evelyn's Diary. 26 May 1703. This day died Mr. Samuel Pepys (age 70), a very worthy, industrious and curious person, none in England exceeding him in knowledge of the navy, in which he had passed through all the most considerable offices, Clerk of the Acts and Secretary of the Admiralty, all which he performed with great integrity. When King James II went out of England, he laid down his office, and would serve no more; but withdrawing himself from all public affairs, he lived at Clapham with his partner, Mr. Hewer (age 61), formerly his clerk, in a very noble house and sweet place, where he enjoyed the fruit of his labors in great prosperity. He was universally beloved, hospitable, generous, learned in many things, skilled in music, a very great cherisher of learned men of whom he had the conversation. His library and collection of other curiosities were of the most considerable, the models of ships especially. Besides what he published of an account of the navy, as he found and left it, he had for divers years under his hand the History of the Navy, or Navalia, as he called it; but how far advanced, and what will follow of his, is left, I suppose, to his sister's son, Mr. Jackson (age 30), a young gentleman, whom Mr. Pepys had educated in all sorts of useful learning, sending him to travel abroad, from whence he returned with extraordinary accomplishments, and worthy to be heir. Mr. Pepys had been for near forty years so much my particular friend, that Mr. Jackson sent me complete mourning, desiring me to be one to hold up the pall at his magnificent obsequies; but my indisposition hindered me from doing him this last office.

On 01 Aug 1704 Admiral George Rooke (age 54) attacked Gibraltar both by sea and by land (commanded by Prince George of Hesse Darmstadt (age 35)). After the three days of fighting the Spanish surrendered.

Evelyn's Diary. 07 Sep 1704. This day was celebrated the thanksgiving for the late great victory, with the utmost pomp and splendor by the Queen (age 39), Court, great Officers, Lords Mayor, Sheriffs, Companies, etc. The streets were scaffolded from Temple Bar, where the Lord Mayor presented her Majesty with a sword, which she returned. Every company was ranged under its banners, the city militia without the rails, which were all hung with cloth suitable to the color of the banner. The Lord Mayor, Sheriffs, and Aldermen were in their scarlet robes, with caparisoned horses; the Knight Marshal on horseback; the Foot-Guards; the Queen (age 39) in a rich coach with eight horses, none with her but the Duchess of Marlborough (age 44) in a very plain garment, the Queen (age 39) full of jewels. Music and trumpets at every city company. The great officers of the Crown, Nobility, and Bishops, all in coaches with six horses, besides innumerable servants, went to St. Paul's, where the Dean preached. After this, the Queen (age 39) went back in the same order to St. James's. The city companies feasted all the Nobility and Bishops, and illuminated at night. Music for the church and anthems composed by the best masters. The day before was wet and stormy, but this was one of the most serene and calm days that had been all the year.

On 24 Aug 1704 the largest naval of the War of the Spanish Sucession was fought at Vélez Málaga a week after the capture of Gibraltar by the British.

On 02 Jul 1704 John Mordaunt (age 23) fought at Donauwörth during the Battle of Schellenberg.