Lille, siege of (1708). This 120-day siege was a costly success for Marlborough. Following his victory at Oudenarde in July 1708, he and Prince Eugène of Savoy moved south to besiege the French stronghold of Lille, reckoned one of Vauban's finest fortress towns, ringing the city with trenches containing 100, 000 men. The siege opened on 12 August, and despite two French attempts to sever the besiegers' line of supply to Ostend, and some costly assaults, the outer lines gradually succumbed, whereupon the defenders withdrew into the citadel, requiring a second siege. Marshal Boufflers eventually surrendered his 16, 000 garrison on 10 December.
— Peter Caddick-Adams
