My sources have been ordered in the sources menu
In these past years I have collected a lot of sources for my site about the Spanish Succession War. It is these sources that I mention here. When I do not have a copy of (part of) the work it is not mentioned on these pages. Some sources were very useful while others proved quite worthless or are still waiting to be used. I have divided them into the categories mentioned below. From a scientific point of view the primary sources have the greatest value and now (2007) that my site is maturing I make more efforts to cite primary sources. However, secondary sources are necessary to get an overview of the era and also in rendering facts that can only be obtained through research. In my descriptions I often use the terms 'scientific' or 'aimed at wide audience'. As a rule the 'scientific' books have more annotations and proven facts while the 'wide audience' books have more pictures or literary value.
- Secondary Sources of a general nature
- Biographies, but excluding autobiographies
- Sources about battles
- All primary sources
- Sources available on the Internet
Books that I found most useful:
These are some of the books I found most useful:
- Marlborough his life and times: It gives a good overview of events and reads like a novel
- Revolutionary Empire: Highlights events from an economic perspective
- Het Staatsche Leger: Is detailed, thorough and equitable
- Briefwisseling Anthonie Heinsius: allows one to check a lot of facts
Note about quotations on this site:
Of course the part of this site based on primary sources is very small. Most of it is taken (though not transcribed) from secondary sources. These are not cited as long as (I think) they treat the generally accepted views about the era (i.e. it is useless to cite the source by which you have learned that William III died in 1702). As soon as I think something is controversial, or proven by a certain author I think quotations are in order. (I.e. Van 't Hoff about Marlborough's role in the Dutch army). It is however quite possible that I might fail to see that something is not the generally accepted view, or that quotations are in order for other reasons. Please let me know in such a case.
Note about quotations from this site:
It is of course perfectly legitimate to copy snippets of a general nature from this site. When one however goes as far as to copy complete paragraphs or to use the site as a substantial source for a story one should cite this site. When you want to translate articles in other languages you can contact me. In most cases I will be happy to cooperate. When copying parts of this site or even single facts one should be especially careful when this site has an annotation or a mentioned source. It often means that the fact is outside the generally accepted views about the era or outside the body of common knowledge. In such a case my fair use of the source is acceptable because I mention it. When one then copies my work without mentioning the original source (i.e. the one I mentioned, not my site) one makes himself liable to legal action by the original author of the mentioned work.