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Other 17th-century conflicts

Printed and manuscript maps, prints and views of 22 seventeenth-century wars

ANONYMOUS

Courtrai and Avelgem, 1694

Plan de la nouvelle Ligne. 1695

1695 or later

Pen, ink and watercolour on two pieces of paper, joined; laid down on linen | Scale: not stated. | RCIN 724069

A map of the French lines constructed in 1695 between Courtrai [Kortrijk] on the River Lys and Avelgem on the Scheldt. Nine Years War (1688-97). Oriented with north-east to top.

This map shows the approximately 10 mile (16 km) extent of the defensive lines that were constructed in just one week from 6 to 13 April by 20,000 men. The ditches were eight feet deep and eight feet wide, with earth parapets behind them which were nine feet high and six feet wide in front of the firing step. These proportions are shown in the profile drawn top left of this map. The lines also incorporated the usual bastion-like angles.

This sketch map shows the new lines in relation to roads, fluvial features and settlements. The old French lines are shown bottom right. An indication of relief is given by crude hachures.

Additional text: [left, a key, A, [B]-I, K-P, to various forts and redoubts.]

For further reading, see:
J. Childs, The Nine Years’ War and the British army, 1688-1697: the operations in the Low Countries, Manchester, 1991; reprint 2013, pp.265-6.
J.A. Lynn, The wars of Louis XIV 1667-1714, London, 1999; republished 2013, pp.247-8.

Condition: four fold lines; brown staining. Verso: bottom right, heavily water-stained patch from the removal of Cumberland's cipher label.
  • Anonymous (cartographer)

  • Watermark: Three double-lined circles in a wreath; countermark: not legible, [three letters and or symbols in a small rectangular panel

    Mark, stamped: 49

    Condition: four fold lines; brown staining. Verso: bottom right, heavily water-stained patch from the removal of Cumberland's cipher label

  • Scale: not stated. Scale bar for profile: [51 mm =] 400 [L?]. [Units of measure are not stated.]

    37.1 x 95.6 cm (image and sheet)

  • Manuscript title:

    Plan de la nouvelle Ligne. 1695. [top left, above key]

    Additional text:

    [left, a key, A, [B]-I, K-P, to various forts and redoubts.]

    Annotations:

    George III heading: Line from Courtray to the Scheld 1695

    Other annotations: (Recto) [top right, black pencil:] XIII. (Verso) [top centre, ink, obscured by linen:] XIII/T; [right, centre, red pencil:] 57.; [top centre, ink:] [6 or 0]5; [top, right of centre, ink, crossed out in red, obscured by paper strip:] Lines; [bottom right, ink, obscured by linen backing:] 39.; [bottom right, ink, obscured by linen backing:] Lignes [...?] Courtray [...?]; [bottom right, on verso of old heading paper strip, red pencil:] 82-2 [black pencil:] XI/11; [bottom right, obscured by old heading paper strip:] IV/69; [bottom, left of old heading, black pencil, in Schultz's or Mason's hand]: 54.

    George III catalogue entry:

    Lines Plan dessiné de la nouvelle Ligne depuis Courtray jusqu’a l’Escaut pres d’Espierre, 1695. 2 feuilles. [The same entry appears under the heading Courtray.]

  • Subject(s)

    Kortrijk, Flanders, Belgium (50°49'40"N 03°15'53"E)

    Avelgem, Flanders, Belgium (50°46'34"N 03°26'42"E)

  • Bibliographic reference(s)

    J. Childs, The Nine Years’ War and the British army, 1688-1697: the operations in the Low Countries, Manchester 1991, reprint 2013, pp. 265-6

    J.A. Lynn, The wars of Louis XIV 1667-1714, London 1999, republished 2013, pp. 247-8

Page revisions

  • 14 March 2024