Prelude Capture of Gibraltar
prince george of hesse-darmstadt (1670–1705). prince george imperial representative in iberian peninsula , nominal commander of anglo-dutch forces using lisbon improvised forward base admiral rooke’s anglo-dutch fleet ventured mediterranean sea in may 1704. after seeing levant trading fleet safely through strait of gibraltar rooke headed towards nice put himself in touch victor amadeus ii, duke of savoy. grand alliance had planned naval attack upon french base @ toulon in conjunction savoyard army , rebels of cévennes; amadeus busy defending capital turin french forces, toulon expedition abandoned , rooke sailed catalan capital, barcelona. accompanying rooke prince george of hesse-darmstadt had enjoyed popularity amongst catalans governor @ end of 9 years war. prince great exponent of barcelona plan; had been in touch dissidents within catalonia , counted on appearance of fleet encourage rising in favour of charles iii . on 30 may, under cover of ships’ guns, prince george landed 1,2...