The king of Spain Charles II had designated for his heir the duke to Anjou, Philippe, second son of the Dolphin.

Louis XIV, after having reflected during three days, took his party, and, gathering all the courtiers, it introduced his grandson to them, and says to them: "Messrs, here the king of Spain" (November 1700.)

New king d' Espagne, Philippe V, after having said good-bye to Louis XIV and in France, left Versailles on December 4, and made his entry in Madrid, February 18, 1701. The eighteenth century opened with glory, and the courtiers repeated with enthusiasm the word of Louis XIV: "There are no more the Pyrenees"

After Louvois the abuses had reappeared in the army: the ranks were given to the favour, and the incapacity of the Generals brought disasters.

With Casement bolt, Villeroi, which could not be kept, was made prisoner the night, with his headquarters, by imperial riders, and the French, dispersed in the barracks, ran the greatest danger; they could fortunately join and drive out the enemy of the city, so that they had the double advantage of preserving Crémone and of having lost Villeroi. (February 1702.)

After the defeat of Turin, Italy was lost and invaded France.

Prince Eugene, French passed to the service of Austria, and the duke of Savoy Victor-Amédée penetrated in Provence, with forty thousand men, and besieged Toulon, that the English and the Dutchmen blocked by sea with fifty ship of the lines.

But the city resisted the bombardment, Provençaux took the weapons, and the enemy, not to be crossed from Italy, had to raise the seat after having lost 10 000 men. (August 707.)