Map of thSiege of Wismar, 1715-16

PLAN DE LA VILLE / ET DES ENVIRONS DE / WISMARe siege of Wismar, 1715-16 (Wismar, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany) 53°53'35"N 11°27'10"E

A map of the siege of Wismar (25 June 1715-19 April 1716) in 1715, by a combined Danish, Prussian and Hanoverian army commanded by the Danish General Franz Joachim von Dewitz (1666-1719) and another Danish General Friedrich von Legardt, who was under the orders of the Prussian General George Friedrich von der Albe (1662-1717), resulting in the capitulation of the Swedish-held town. Great Northern War (1700-1721). Oriented with west-south-west to top (compass rose).

This map illustrates the topography of the immediate surroundings of Wismar as a combination of marshy, wet lowlands, distinguishing these by a greenish colour from the drier, lighter areas in between. The fortifications are shown in some detail, with the lines of the two wings of the army to the north-east and north-west of the town.

The area covered extends from Hufen (Hoben 53°55'05"N 11°24'20"E) in the north-west to Fischkaten (53°56'01"N 11°29'01"E) in the north-east, and from Wehlsdorf (possibly Metelsdorf 53°51'00"N 11°25'59"E) in the south-west to Grehse (Greese 53°52'09"N 11°31'43"E) in the south-east.

This map has been removed from a volume, made about 1719 or later, of manuscript maps and plans of sieges. Other maps, perhaps in a different hand but, apparently from the same volume, are scattered throughout the collection: RCINs [724061], [724090], 725007, 725009, 725011, 725013, 725021, 725023, 725027, 725030, 725032, 725041, [725044], 725045, 725047, [725055], 725074, 725087, 725098, 726007, 726014, 726022, 726041, 726045, 726053, 726065, 726073, 726080, 726090, 727004, 727007, 727011, 727013, 727014.

Additional text: [top right, in rectangular panel, a short account of the siege:] Investie le 25 Juin 1715, et Blocquée par les Troupes du Roÿ de Prusse / conjointement avec celles de Dennemarck, et de Hannover, on ÿ voit le / Campement des Troupes des trois Puissances, avec les Ouvrages qui / ont été faits aux deux Cotez du port, pour couper aux ennemis toute / Com[m]unication avec la Mer et le Wallfisch, par Consequent les Secours / et les Vivres quits en ont tiré jusqu'a ce que l'entrée du Canal fut fermé / on commensa les Ouvrages le 12 Mars 1716, lesquels êtants finis le 5 / Avril, la Ville demanda a Capituler le 14, et la Capitulation / aÿant êté Conclue le 19me la Garnison en sortit le 23me du même / Mois 1716, apres un Blocus de 10 Mois moins deux jours &c. [Followed by a key, A-D, to the fieldworks of the left and right wings of the army, the driven piles across the entrance to the port, the ship bridges to allow communication between the two wings of the army; another key, 1-29, to the names of the bastions and ravelins; a third key, a, e, i, o, to the town gates.]

Condition: one fold line. Verso: remains of guard; induced discolouration.