Wattignies, Battle. 1793. Inexperienced French army defeats professional Austrians. French Revolution.

Wellington, Duke of. 1769-1852. English general, victor at Waterloo. Prime Minister 1828-30.

White Mountain, Battle. 1620. First battle of Thirty Years War. Catholic League defeats Bohemian nobles.

White Plains, Battle. 1776. Washington retreats before British advance.

William I. The Conqueror. c1027-87. Norman conquest of England, 1066. Defeated Harold II at Hastings. Ordered Domesday Survey 1085. Built Tower of London 1086. Imported feudal system.

William III. 1650-1702. Prince of Orange 1672-. King of England with Mary II 1689-. Ended War of Grand Alliance 1697. Defeated James II at Battle of Boyne, reconquered Ireland 1690. Declared freedom of worship.

Winkelried, Arnold von. -1386. Swiss hero of Sempach. Sacrificed himself to create a breach in the cavalry of Duke Leopold.

Wittstock, Battle. 1636. Sweden defeats Holy Roman Empire in Thirty Years War.

Worcester, Battle. 1651. Cromwell defeats Royalists. Last revolt after English Civil War.

Xerxes I. 519-465BC. King of Persia, invaded Attica. Victor at Thermopylae. Salamis defeat preserved Greek independence. Crossed Hellespont 480BC.

Yarmuk River, Battle. 636. Arabs defeat Byzantines, dominate Syria.

Ypres, Battles. 1914,15,17,18. German First use of poison gas, 1915.

Zama, Battle. 202BC. Rome defeats Hannibal near Carthage. Punic Wars.

Zenta, Battle. 1697. Austria defeats Turks, becomes greatest power in Europe.

Znaim Armistice. 1809. Napoleon and Archduke Charles. Wagram Battle.

Zutphen, Battle. 1586. Spanish victory in Holland.