Other 18th-/19th-century conflicts
Maps, views and documents from 19 wars
Battle of Prestonpans, 1745
A PLAN of the ACTION at Seatowne the 21. of Sept:r 1745 by an Engineer in his Majesty's Service who was present: done / from the only Correct Draught which was delineated by the Author for the use of the Right...
published 17 Oct 1745Etching and engraving; printed on paper | Scale: not stated. Not to scale. | RCIN 729155
A map of the Battle of Prestonpans, fought on 21 September 1746 between the Jacobite army, commanded by Prince Charles Edward Stuart (1720-88), and the British army, commanded by General Sir John Cope (1690-1760), resulting in a Jacobite victory. Jacobite Rebellion (1745-6). Oriented with south to top.
The identity of the engineer on whose map this published map is based is unknown. There are too many differences for it to have been based on Elphinstone's map at RCIN 729154. There is no reference to the slaughter of British troops in the grounds of Mr Erskine's Park; the route of the Dragoons through Prestonpans and ‘Little Village’ is shown as are the various stages of the Rebels' march and the different positions of the ‘King's Army’.
The Battle of Prestonpans was the first engagement between the Jacobite, or Rebel Army led by Prince Charles Edward Stuart, and the British Army led by Sir John Cope.
Paul Fourdrinier (1698-1758) (engraver) [bottom right, below edge of border:] P. Fourdrinier Sulp. [sic]
Hawkins: Milton Head, Fleet Street, London (G. Hawkins (active 1736-27 January 1780)) (publisher) [bottom centre, below edge of border:] Published according to Act of Parliament Oct.r 17th 1745 By G. Hawkins at Milton Head in Fleet Street Price 1.s plain and 2.s Coloured.
Watermark: Fleur-de-lys in shield, crown above, a ‘4’ suspending the letters L V G below; countermark: IV
Condition: three fold lines; trimmed. Verso: top left, water-stained patch from the removal of Cumberland's cipher label [at least half the label shadow has been trimmed]
Scale: not stated. Not to scale.
33.0 x 39.8 cm (image)
33.3 x 41.1 cm (platemark)
30.5 x 39.8 cm (neatline)
34.2 x 43.0 cm (sheet)
Printed title:
A PLAN of the ACTION at Seatowne the 21. of Sept:r 1745 by an Engineer in his Majesty's Service who was present: done / from the only Correct Draught which was delineated by the Author for the use of the Right Hon:ble the Earl of Marchmont. [top, outside border]
Additional text:
Explanation [followed by a note:] The Highlanders who did not engage were / posted some in Seatown some in M.r Erskine / of Granges Inclosure, and some below the / Church of Tranent. [bottom left, a key, A-H, to the locations of the British artillery at different times, and a squadron of dragoons sent to reinforce them]
Annotations:
George III heading: Battle of Preston Pans 21 Sept.r 1745.
Other annotations: (Recto) none. (Verso) [centre, red pencil:] 3.
George III catalogue entry:
Preston Pans A Plan of the Action at Seaton near Preston Pans between the King's Army under Sir John Cope and the Rebels; 21 Sept.r 1745: engraved by Fourdrinier, 1745.
Subject(s)
Prestonpans, East Lothian, Scotland, UK (55°57'33"N 02°58'49"W)
Page revisions
14 March 2024
Current version
