Maps, views and documents from 19 wars
Maps, views and documents from 19 wars
Pencil, pen, ink and watercolour on paper; laid down on coarse linen | Scale: 1:900 approx. | RCIN 724093
A plan of the siege of Koknese [Kokenhausen] by the Saxon army on 29 September 1700, resulting in the capitulation of the town on 4 October. Great Northern War (1700-1721). Oriented with north-north-east to top.
The style of cartography, particularly the use of painterly brush strokes and a dark wash in the delineation of relief, is typical of the Board of Ordnance style in the early to mid-eighteenth century, though this is more reminiscent of the earlier years.
Anonymous (cartographer)
Watermark: Fleur-de-lys in crowned shield suspending a ‘4’, the letters WR below. On white paper strip pasted to verso, cropped: G / [?] N
Mark, stamped: 60
Condition: no fold lines; surface dirt along left edge; five holes punched along left and right edges. Verso: brown discolouration; heavy surface dirt along left edge
Scale: 1:900 approx. Scale bar: A Scale of Feet [69 mm =] 200.
31.8 x 44.0 cm (image and neatline)
32.3 x 45.2 cm (sheet)
Manuscript title:
A Plan of kokenhouse in Livo / nia 12 Livonian or 42 English / Miles from Riga, Besiedged by / the Saxon Army Consisting of / 9000 Foot, and 5000 Horse. / The Trenches were opened the / 29th of September 1700 and sur / rendred the 4.th of October. [top right, in rectangular panel]
Additional text:
[top right, in rectangular panel, a key, A-I, K-M, to the old castle, new field works, batteries, military positions, roads and rivers.]
Annotations:
George III heading: Kokenhausen 29 Sep – 4 Oct. 1700.
Other annotations: (Recto) none. (Verso) [top left, black pencil:] K /4 [and, black pencil:] IV/113; [top right, obscured by white paper strip:] Kokenhousen; [bottom right, obscured by white paper strip, black pencil and crossed out in red pencil:] 60/45 [and:] 4/[?]-2.
George III catalogue entry:
Kokenhausen A drawn Plan of Kokenhausen in Livonia besieged by the Saxon Army 29.th Sept.r and surrendered the 4.th Oct.r 1700.
Probably from the collection of military and naval maps and prints formed by Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland (1721-65), third son of George II; subsequently acquired by George III (1738-1820)
Koknese [Kokenhausen], Koknese, Latvia (56°42ʹ37ʺN 25°27ʹ48ʺE)