The Battle of Blenheim

The character of Kaspar may not know much about the cause of the battle or have a developed moral sense, but he is nonetheless aware of what happened to civilians as well as combatants. His father’s home was burned down and the family had to flee, with nowhere safe to go. Kaspar also speaks of the deaths of pregnant women and newborn babies, likely also due to the burning of the village. He does not express any revulsion at this, and he does not appear to believe that he will be shocking or upsetting the children by telling them about it. However, Southey’s intent as the poet is for the reader to see a moral issue in the tale about the appalling human cost of the battle.

Kaspar speaks of the devastating cost of war to those who were not involved in the fighting. This is a common story throughout the history of war. Through no fault of their own, civilians in towns and villages are caught up in the chaos and mayhem of battles. Kaspar is also remembering correctly what he was told. French forces occupied and fortified Blindheim (Blenheim), but when the English-Austrian allies advanced, the French fled the town, burning it down as they left.