Ottoman-Habsburg Wars (1521-1791)
Images from eight wars fought between 1570 and 1718
Siege of Stuhlweissenberg, 1601
SIEGE DE LA VILLE D’ALBEREGALLE EN HONGRIE AVEC LA PRISE D’ICELLE FAITE LE VINGT-TIESME IOVR DE Septembre 1601. par Monseigneur le Duc de Mercœur, Lieutenant General de l’Empereur
1601 or laterEngraving; printed on paper; mounted on paper, mount cropped (Mount Type B?) | 43.1 x 56.6 cm (image and sheet) | RCIN 721116.a
A view of the siege and taking of Turkish-held Stuhlweissenberg by the Imperial Habsburg army commanded by Philippe Emmanuel, Duke of Mercoeur (9 September 1558-19 February 1602), 9-20 September 1601. Ottoman-Habsburg Wars: The Long War (1591/3-1606). Oriented with west to top (cardinal points).
See the notes to RCIN 721115.
This is the first of three prints showing (1) the successful siege of Stuhlweissenburg (Alba Regale) by the Imperial army in September 1601, and (2 and 3) the subsequent failed attempt by the Turks to take it back about three weeks later in October. The town remained in Imperial hands until the following year when it was retaken by the Turks on 29 August 1602.
The marshy, impassable terrain which surrounded the town is shown to good effect in this view by the large areas pf close stippling. The batteries of the Imperial army (marked A and B) are on the east and south side of the town. The main town (C) and the suburbs (D and E) are shown in detail. Two Turkish cemeteries (G and N) are depicted, one on an island in the middle of the marsh on the south-east side of the town and the other in the midst of the Imperial camp on the south side. The gardens on islets in the marshes (H) can be seen to the west and north-east of the town. Elsewhere the taking by surprise of the suburb on the Buda side of the town is shown to the north and massed Imperial infantry regiments (V) with the usual format of pikemen in the centre surrounded by arquebusiers, combine in battle with the cavalry (T).
The cardinal points are drawn as a cross staff around which a serpent/snake is entwined. Its significance is not known although it may have biblical connotations of evil, as represented by the Muslim enemy. The compass directions are indicated by the letters S (Septentrio: north) and M (Meridies: south). The letters which resemble a 'C' may be an open 'O', standing for Occidens (west) and Oriens (east). The cross at the top of the east direction point lies between the head and the tail of the serpent.
A scale bar without units of measurement is drawn along the north-south axis of a compass point between the coils of a serpent, top left.
This is one of a set of three prints with accompanying letterpress text (RCINs 721116-721118).
Anonymous (printmaker)
Watermark: Trefoil on long stalk between two feathers, on base with two scrolls below
Condition: one fold line; pressure marks from the mounts of items which were kept above and below this print in a different collection are present on the recto and verso. Verso: remains of mount (Type B?); no gilt edges
43.1 x 56.6 cm (image and sheet)
cropped (platemark)
Printed title:
SIEGE DE LA VILLE D’ALBEREGALLE EN HONGRIE AVEC LA PRISE D’ICELLE FAITE LE VINGT-TIESME IOVR DE Septembre 1601. par Monseigneur le Duc de Mercœur, Lieutenant General de l’Empereur. [No title on print. Title on accompanying letterpress text (RCIN 721116.b).]
Annotations:
George III heading: Stuhl Weissenburg or Alba Regale taken by the Imperialists 20.th Sep.r 1601.
Other annotations: (Recto) none. (Verso) [right centre, brown ink, a monogram:] W[B].George III catalogue entry:
Stuhl Weissenburg Siege de la Ville d’Alberegalle en Hongrie, avec la prise d’icelle faite le 20 de Sept.re 1601 par (les Imperiaux) commandés par) le Duc de Mercœur: avec une Description.
Subject(s)
Székesfehérvár [Alba Regale], Fejér, Hungary (47°11ʹ23ʺN 18°24ʹ37ʺE)
Bibliographic reference(s)
M. McDonald, The Print Collection of Cassiano dal Pozzo. Part II, Architecture, Topography and Military Maps, 3 vols, London 2019, cat. no. 2780
Page revisions
14 March 2024
Current version
