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French Revolutionary Wars (1792-1802)

Maps and prints of naval engagements collected by George III during the decade of war

[J.H.] WILCKENS (ACTIVE 1786-93)

Siege of Valenciennes, 1793

PLAN / von der Lage der Festung Valenciennes / nebst den vor Selbiger Stehenden einschlies = / sungs und observations Arméen, / auch der Seit den 14 Jun: gegen die = / selbe geführten Attaque

c.1793

Pen, ink and watercolour on paper | Scale: 1:36,500 approx. Maastab von 5000 Schritten [110 mm =]. | RCIN 735012.b

A map of the siege of Valenciennes, 18 May-25 July 1793, showing the state of the parallels on 14 June, the second day of the siege. French Revolutionary Wars (1792-1802): War of the First Coalition (1792-8). Oriented with north to top (cardinal points).

The attribution to Engineer Ensigns Schaeffer, Wilckens and Ruher is made on the basis of the similarity in style between this map and that at RCIN 735012.c. The dates of 18 May-25 July which are given in the old catalogue entry do not refer to the dates of the siege of Valenciennes which took place between 13 June and 28 July 1793. The command of the besieging forces was given to Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany (1763-1827), the second son of George III.

This map shows a more advanced stage in the parallels of the siege works than RCIN 735012.a. The topography is very detailed and particular attention has been paid to the representation of the roads, especially where they run through hollows: see the area around Aulnoit (i.e. Aulnoy-lez-Valenciennes) and Persiau (i.e. Préseau) and Artres for example. The representation of relief is an accomplished form of hill shading.

The area covered extends from Echaupont (i.e. Escautpont, Nord-Pas-de-Calais 50°25'07"N 03°33'12"E) in the north to Villers-Pol (Nord-Pas-de-Calais 50°17'04"N 03°36'52"E) in the south; and from Rouvegny (i.e. Rouvignies, Nord-Pas-de-Calais 50°19'22"N 03°26'51"E) in the west to Sebourg (Nord-Pas-de-Calais 50°20'32"N 03°38'36"E) in the east.

Additional text: [bottom left, in rectangular panels, a key, 1-79, in four columns, to regiments, with the numbers of squadrons and battalions in each, of the Hanoverian, Prussian, English, and Hessian troops:] Renvoi.

Condition: one fold line; slight brown spotting to both sides. Verso: left, two rectangles of heavy surface dirt.
  • [J.H.] Wilckens (active 1786-93) (cartographer)

    Schaeffer (active 1793) (cartographer)

    Richard (active 1793) (cartographer)

  • Watermark: Cropped: BLAUW; fleur-de-lys in crowned shield, a ‘4’ suspending the letters WR below

    Condition: one fold line; slight brown spotting to both sides. Verso: left, two rectangles of heavy surface dirt

  • Scale: 1:36,500 approx. Maastab von 5000 Schritten [110 mm =].

    48.1 x 48.4 cm (neatline)

    48.6 x 48.8 cm (image)

    51.7 x 52.4 cm (sheet)

  • Manuscript title:

    PLAN / von der Lage der Festung Valenciennes / nebst den vor Selbiger Stehenden einschlies = / sungs und observations Arméen, / auch der Seit den 14 Jun: gegen die = / selbe geführten Attaque. [top left]

    Additional text:

    [bottom left, in rectangular panels, a key, 1-79, in four columns, to regiments, with the numbers of squadrons and battalions in each, of the Hanoverian, Prussian, English, and Hessian troops:] Renvoi.

    Annotations:

    George III heading: Valenciennes, 18 May-25 July 1793.

    Other annotations: none.

    George III catalogue entry:

    Valenciennes Plan von der Lage der Festung Valenciennes nebst den vor selbiger stehenden einschliesungs und observations Armeen auch der seit den 14 Jun: gegen dieselbe gefuhrten Attaque. drawn.

  • Subject(s)

    Valenciennes, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France (50°21'00"N 03°32'00"E)

Page revisions

  • 14 March 2024