View of Wesel, 1629 (Wesel, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany) 51°40'00"N 06°37'00"E

A high oblique view and map of the surprise attack on, and taking of Wesel on 19 August 1629 by Dutch troops under the Dutch governor of Emmerich, Otto van Ghent (1578-1640). Eighty Years War (Dutch War of Independence) (1568-1648). Oriented with west-south-west to top (cardinal points).

A Spanish army under Count Ernesto Montecuccoli (1582-17 June 1633) had invaded Gelderland in a failed attempt to divert Frederick Henry from his siege of ’s-Hertogenbosch (see RCINs 722042-44). Instead, the taking of Wesel deprived the Spanish-Austrian troops of essential supplies and Montecuccoli was forced to retreat.

The accompanying text (RCIN 722048.b) gives an account of the history of Wesel since 1614 and of the action which took place on 19 August 1629 and includes a list of prisoners: ‘ROOLLE DES PRISONNIERS PRINS DANS LA / VILLE DE VVESEL, AVEC LEVRS NOMS ET QVALITEZ.’. It is noted that although the town was well fortified, it was badly guarded and that, in particular, the Dutch had been informed that an unrepaired breach in the walls allowed easy access to the town. Leaving during the night of the 18^th August, the Dutch took the town the following day.

The breach in the walls is shown in this print on the north side, east of the hornwork named ‘Porte de Vlesken’, to gain entry. Also shown is the boat bridge, constructed across the Rhine by the Spanish, which was destroyed.

This map apparently comes from Robert Fouet (active 1604-1633), Histoire generale de la Guerre en Flandres, Paris, 1633.