Description:

War of Spanish Succession



Map Showing Siege of Douay during the War of Spanish Succession, from Tindal's Continuation of Rapin's History of England

 

A print entitled "Intrenchment of the Army of the Allies to cover the Siege of Douay against the French Army, that came to raise it in June 1710. / for Mr. Tindal's Continuation of Mr. Rapin's History of England." After the original engraving by Isaac Basire (1704-1768), and published in The Continuation of Mr. Rapin de Thoyras's History of England: from the Revolution to the Accession of King George II, ca. 1750. The title appears in block lettering in the bottom margin. Printed on two pieces of paper joined verso, with a nice deep plate mark. In very good to near fine condition. Overall toning and isolated foxing. Light ghost impressions of text found verso. 20" x 15.75".

 

The map gives a bird's eye view of the area surrounding Douay, a city in modern day France near the Belgian frontier. Douay was part of the network of French border defenses, called the Ne Plus Ultra Lines, erected during the War of Spanish Succession (1701-1714). This international conflict had erupted after the death of the childless Spanish monarch Charles II, when multiple European countries and nation-states advanced competing claims to the Spanish throne. The Bourbon Alliance, headed by Louis XIV's France, waged war against the Grand Alliance, comprised of Great Britain, Netherlands, and elements of the Holy Roman Empire.

 

The map highlights topographical features of Douay, such as its eponymous Canal, that would play a prominent role in the siege and aborted defense of the city. It also shows local landmarks such as villages, roads, bridges, churches, wooded areas, and pasturage. Most importantly, the map shows the military movements of both combatants during the last month of the Siege of Douay.

 

Of especial interest are map designations showing the placement of military commanders' headquarters. The three leading military figures of the engagement--British commander John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough (1650-1722), Prince Eugene of Savoy of the Holy Roman Empire (1663-1736), and French General Claude Louis Hector de Villars (1653-1734)--are all mentioned on the map; the "D. of Marlborough's Quarters" were positioned parallel to "P. Eugene's Quarters," while "Mars. Villars Quarters" were located south of the city of Lens.

 

The map shows how Grand Alliance forces clustered behind the "Intrenchment of the Allies" line, further reinforced by two lines of Infantry and Cavalry. The Princes of Anhalt-Dessau and Orange, members of the Grand Alliance leadership, waited in reserve behind the "Line of Circumvallation" located directly outside of Douay. A dozen or so bars located towards the top of the map represent the French forces that unsuccessfully attempted to lift the siege.

 

Grand Alliance forces began the siege of Douay in late April 1710. For the next two months, they contained the city's inhabitants and fought off French forces that had come to their aid. Douay finally surrendered in late June 1710. Grand Alliance forces capitalized on their recent success, continuing to overtake other French cities throughout the borderland that summer.

 

French bureaucrat Lefebvre d'Orval, who survived the siege from the inside, wrote a contemporary account of his experiences. He explained that, even though the French had taken precautions to protect their city, like blocking nearby canals, little could stop Grand Alliance forces from sealing off the city. D'Orval, along with other city leaders, orchestrated the city's relief efforts. They impounded grains from bourgeois inhabitants and consumed horsemeat. The city surrendered on June 27, 1710.

 

French historian Paul de Rapin de Thoyras (1661-1725) wrote a 10-volume survey history of England, dating from the Ancient Roman conquest to the Glorious Revolution, in the 1720s. British clergyman and amateur historian Nicolas Tindal (1687-1774) continued the narration through the first monarchs of the Hanoverian dynasty.

 

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

 

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