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The Seven Years War (1756-63)

Manuscript and printed maps and views, correspondence and journals from the first global war

JAMES BRAMHAM (D. 1786)

Plan of Le Palais, 1761 (Le Palais, Belle Île, France) 47°20'45"N 03°09'14"W

c.1761

Pencil, ink and watercolour on two sheets of paper, joined; laid down on coarse linen | Scale: 1:4,800 approx. | RCIN 733030

A plan of the town and citadel of Belle Isle, besieged and taken by the British, commanded by Major-General Studholme Hodgson (Master of the Horse to the Duke of Cumberland; 1707/8-1798), between 2 May and 7 June 1761. Seven Years War (1756-63). Oriented with west-south-west to top (cardinal points).

The surveyor of this plan, Major James Bramham, was present at the siege of Le Palais. The plan shows the location of the six French batteries, the British parallels and batteries, burnt and captured villages, and the camps of the British troops. The style of the map is typical of the Board of Ordnance Drawing Room in the Tower of London and may have been copied from an original for distribution to senior military officers.

Condition: one fold line. Verso: induced discolouration.
  • James Bramham (d. 1786) (surveyor) [top left, below title and text, in title panel:] Survey’d by Major Bramham Chief Engineer.

    Anonymous (draughtsman)

    Subject(s)

    Army-France
    Army-GB
  • Watermark: [Fleur-de-lys in crowned shield, the letters L V G below]

    Mark, stamped: 925

    Condition: one fold line. Verso: induced discolouration

  • Scale: 1:4,800 approx. Scale bar: Scale 400 Feet to an Inch [84 mm =] 1320 = ¼ of a Mile.

    48.0 x 80.6 cm (neatline)

    48.5 x 81.1 cm (image)

    52.5 x 85.0 cm (sheet)

  • Manuscript title:

    PLAN of the / ATTACKS of the CITTADEL of PALAIS in / BELLE ISLE / As Besieged by His Britanick Majesty’s Forces under / the Command of Major General Hodgson. 1761. [top left, in rectangular panel]

    Annotations:

    George III heading: Palais 2 May - 7 June 1761.

    Other annotations: (Recto) none. (Verso) [bottom, right of centre, black pencil, beneath old heading:] XVI/3[?]-h.

    George III catalogue entry:

    Palais A drawn Plan of the Attacks of the Citadel of Palais in Belle Isle as besieged by His Britannick Majesty’s Forces under the command of Major General Hodgson in 1761: surveyed by Major Bramham chief Eng.r.

  • Subject(s)

    Le Palais, Belle Île, France (47°20'45"N 03°09'14"W)

Page revisions

  • 25 May 2024