The Seven Years War (1756-63)
Manuscript and printed maps and views, correspondence and journals from the first global war
Newport, 1758
c.1758Pencil, pen, ink and grey wash on two pieces of paper, joined; irregular shape | Scale: not stated. 1:18,000 approx. | RCIN 732051
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.
This sketch covers the area to the north-west of Newport. Pencil construction lines show that a rough triangulation and road traverse has been carried out. The confident brushwork which is used to represent relief was gained from experience on the Military Survey of Scotland (1747-55). The area covered by this map lies to the north-west of Carisbrooke. Pencilled lines indicate that sightings have been taken from Alvington House (now Alvington Manor) and Homins Hill (now Holme Hill). ‘Victualfield’ is now Vittlefield, ‘Rosebrook’ is presumably Rodgebrook Farm, ‘Bondshill’ appears to be Bunts Hill Farm, and the ‘Keeper's Cottage’ appears to be in a similar position to a structure which stands at Grid reference SZ 471916. Several other pencil construction lines are visible, with numbers written to them. See also RCIN 732050.
For further reading, see:
D. Baugh, ‘Wager, Sir Charles (1666–1743)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, 2004; online edition Jan 2008, pp.307-311.
Condition: four fold lines; creased; brown stains; surface dirt on verso.
? William Roy (1726-90) (surveyor and draughtsman)
Watermark: Britannia surrounded by a crowned quadruple circle within which are the words: PRO PATRIA EIUSQUE LIBERTATE and the letters J P below the crown; countermark: the crowned monogram GR
Mark, stamped: 832
Condition: four fold lines; creased; brown stains; surface dirt on verso
Scale: not stated. 1:18,000 approx.
40.8 x 46.4 cm (image and sheet)
Manuscript title:
No title
Annotations:
George III heading: Sketch of the ground intended for the Encampment at Newport in the Isle of Wight in April 1758.
Other annotations: (Recto) none. (Verso) [right, pencil calculations.]
George III catalogue entry:
Newport A drawn Sketch of the Ground intended for the Encampment at Newport in the Isle of Wight in April 1758.
Subject(s)
Newport, Isle of Wight, UK (50°42'05"N 01°17'28"W)
Bibliographic reference(s)
D. Baugh, ‘Wager, Sir Charles (1666–1743)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, 2004; online edition Jan 2008, pp.307-311.
Page revisions
14 March 2024
Current version
