Anne-Hilarion de Costentin, comte de Tourville Many ship constructions have already been ordered since the opening of this war between France and the Grand Alliance of England, of the United Provinces and of most of the states of the Holy Roman Empire of German Nations, including Austria and Brandenburg, joined by Spain last year. Yet the late French victory near Beachy Head has exacerbated arms race. The defeat of the Anglo-Dutch fleet led by Arthur Herbert, earl of Torring