VENDOME, LOUIS JOSEPH, Duc DE marshal of France, was the son of Louis, 2nd duke of Vendome, and the great-grandson of Henry IV. and Gabrielle d'Estrees. Entering the army he distinguished himself in the Dutch wars, and by 1 688 had risen to the rank of lieutenant-general. In the war of the Grand Alliance he rendered conspicuous service and in 1695, in command of the army operating in Catalonia, he took Barcelona. Soon afterwards he received the marshalate. In 1702, after the first unsuccessful campaign of Catinat and Villeroi, he was placed in command of the Franco-Spanish army in Italy. (See SPANISH SUCCESSION WAR.) During three campaigns in that country he proved a worthy antagonist to Prince Eugene, whom at last he defeated at Cassano. Next year he was sent to
Flanders to repair the disaster of Ramillies with the result that his successors Martin and Philip of Orleans were totally de feated, while in the new sphere VendOme was merely the mentor of the pious and unenterprising duke of Burgundy, and was un abie to prevent the defeat of Oudenarde. He retired in disgust to his estates, but was soon summoned to take command of the army of Philip in Spain. There he won his last victories, crown ing his work with the battle of Villaviciosa. Before the end of the war he died suddenly at Vinaros on June 11, 1712.