In 1713 Louis Laguerre was commissioned to decorate the walls of the main hall and the two flanking staircases of Marlborough House, the London residence of the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough. The subject was to be the significant battles of the Spanish Wars of Succession (1701-14); led by the Duke of Marlborough, Britain and the Allies saw victories at Blenheim (1704), Ramillies (1706), Oudenard (1708) and, less decisively, Malplaquet (1709). The murals were to be 'the only signs of bravura or ornamentation in a house that was otherwise very plain and simple' (John Charlton, Marlborough House, 1978). Laguerre was paid £500 for them. The murals have had a chequered conservation history and parts have been almost entirely repainted.

In 1700, when the death of Charles II of Spain threatened to plunge Europe into war, William III put John Churchill, later 1st Duke of Marlborough (1650-1722), then a relatively inexperienced and untried military leader, at the helm of British expeditionary forces, as part of the 'Grand Alliance' formed against France. The Spanish Wars of Succession (1701-1714) followed, which saw the 'Grande Alliance' of England, Austria, the Dutch Republic, the Holy Roman Empire, Piedmont-Savoy, Prussia, Portugal and Hapsburg Spain pitched into war against France, and France's supporters from amongst the monarchist regions of Spain that had automatically accepted duc'Anjou as Philip V.

The staircase to the right of the main central hall (Blenheim Saloon) is decorated with scenes from the battle of Ramillies (RCINs 408432, 408434); depictions of the surrounding landscape (RCINs 408430, 408435); a military encounter, possibly the battle of Oudenard, 1708 (RCIN 408431) and figures of Mars and Hercules flanking the arms of the Duke of Marlborough (RCIN 408433).

Here, the Duke of Marlborough appears at the centre, mounted, as ever, on the symbolic white charger and identifiable by his red coat and garter star. He is surrounded by his staff: the figure of William Cadogan, Earl Cadogan in blue at the right, and possibly. Charles Churchill (1656-1714), the Duke's brother, to his left. In the background left, the River Mehaigne, with Ramillies village and church in the centre, and the infantry drawn up along the River Geet to the right; the Mont St André plateau is behind. Behind the central figures, the 'biggest cavalry battle of the war' is ongoing, with clouds of smoke surrounding Ramillies village and church. Laguerre's composition includes the furious fighting around Ramillies, but focuses on one of the battle's most famous incidents: the death of Colonel Bringfield, who was shot while helping the Duke to remount his horse in the thick of the battle. Contemporary accounts exist stating that Bringfield was killed by cannon shot whilst holding the stirrup for Marlborough to remount; it seems likely from the information given that he would have been decapitated, although Laguerre chooses not to include this rather macabre detail. Richard Holmes writes:

An oil painting on canvas, 70 x 119 ½ inches, in Marlborough House until about 1724, then in Grimsthorpe Castle staircase. Two small oil copies, 30 x 54 inches at Plas Newydd, and 28 x 56 ½ inches (inscribed Ramilly) last recorded at Adare Manor.