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.