Godard van Reede, 1st Earl of Athlone[b][1] (14 June 1644[a] – 11 February 1703) was a Dutch States Army officer and nobleman.

Alongside Waldeck and Schomberg, Athlone became one of the few senior officers to whom William granted independent command over the Anglo-Dutch forces during his wars.

After William's death during the War of the Spanish Succession, he vied for command of the combined Anglo-Dutch army in the Low Countries, but the role was given to the Duke of Marlborough.

The following year, Ginkel distinguished himself by a memorable exploit—the pursuit and capture of a Scottish regiment that had mutinied for James at Ipswich and was marching northward across the Fens.

After reconstructing the fortifications of Ballymore, the army marched to Athlone, then one of the most important of the fortified towns of Ireland and key to the Jacobite defensive position, as it bridged the River Shannon.

An immediate attack was resolved, and, after a severe and at one point doubtful contest, the Jacobite position was severely weakened by the death of their French commander Charles Chalmot de Saint-Ruhe, Marquis de Saint Ruth, after which his disorganised forces fled in the ensuing darkness of the early morning of 13 July.

Led by Ginkel, the Williamites came in sight of the town on the day of Tyrconnell's death, and the bombardment and siege were immediately begun.

The following year, he led the cavalry on the Allied left wing at the Battle of Landen, narrowly escaping death by drowning in the Geete while trying to restore order during the retreat.

Early the next spring, he devised the plan for the attack on Givet and supported Coehoorn's operation, which led to the destruction of French supply depots amassed by Louis XIV for the upcoming campaign.

While the army had many experienced and capable generals, like Ahtlone, none possessed the stature or authority that could even remotely rival the prestige of the late Stadtholder-King.

The strategy called for Athlone and Coehoorn to launch diversionary actions to prevent the French from coming to Kaiserswerth's aid.

However, due to various difficulties and tensions between the commanders, whom were reluctant to accept Nassau-Usingen's authority, the diversions ultimately failed to materialize.

When Boufflers, the French commander, realized this, he attempted to overwhelm and defeat Tilly with superior numbers before Athlone could reinforce him.

In response, they resolved to raise a substantial field army and to make a final decision on who would command the combined Anglo-Dutch forces.

While he had limited military experience, the confidence that William III had previously placed in him, along with the strategic belief that his appointment would further solidify England's commitment to the war on the continent, ultimately outweighed other considerations.

[19] Ginkel married Ursula Philipota van Raesvelt, heiress of Castle Middachten near Arnhem, and with her had several children.

[20] He was succeeded, in 1703 upon his death, by his eldest son Frederick Christiaan van Reede, the 2nd earl (1668–1719), a distinguished soldier in the reigns of William III and Queen Anne and who had been naturalised as an English subject in 1696.