Newport, 1758

A sketch of the ground intended for the encampment at Newport, Isle of Wight, 1758. Seven Years War (1756-63). Oriented with south-east to top.

In order to compare this sketch with RCIN 732051, it is necessary to turn the sketch so that the old heading is along the right hand side. It is then apparent that this sketch is a reduction of RCIN 732051 (or 732051 is an enlargement of this sketch) although it does not quite cover the whole area. It is possible to identify Keepers Cottage, Whitehouse, Bondshill, Rosebank, where Little Park House ought to be, and Polclose - though no buildings are drawn. The outline of the mound of Carisbrooke Castle is drawn at the bottom of the map (i.e. north). This appears to be one of the compilation plans for RCIN 732054.

The attribution to William Roy is made on stylistic grounds. The troop encampments on the Isle of Wight, which gathered in mid-April 1758, were preliminary to the coastal raids on France which began with the expedition to St Malo in June, in which Roy took part.

The front line of the proposed encampments are indicated by a ruled pencil line. The map is covered by ruled pencil copying squares.

For further reading, see:
D. Baugh, ‘Wager, Sir Charles (1666–1743)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, 2004; online edition Jan 2008, pp.307-11.

Condition: no fold lines.