Arras, 1640

Plan de la ville / D’ARRAS / Assiege par les / Armes du Roy de / France LOVIS / le XIII. iesme / Le 12 de Iuin / lan 1640

A high oblique view/map of Arras, held by the Spanish and defended by the Irishman Colonel Owen Roe O’Neill (c.1585-1649), and besieged from 13 June to 9 August by the French, commanded by Gaspard III de Coligny, Maréchal de Châtillon (26 July 1584-4 January 1646) and Charles de La Port, Duc de La Meilleraye 1602-8 February 1664), resulting in the capitulation of the town. Thirty Years War (1618-1648). Oriented with north to top.

The siege of Arras was a great spectacle, attended by Louis XIII; its capture was delayed by the arrival of a Spanish relief army which attempted to cut the French supply lines but, in turn, a large French supply convoy, shown in the lower left of this print, managed to get through to the lines. The victory restored control of the Somme and this area to the French.

This siege is famous for the presence, not only of Louis XIII but also of the playwright Cyrano de Bergerac (1619-1655), who received a severe neck wound.

One line of circumvallation is shown together with the five French encampments which were also encircled by defensive lines. The area covered extends from Mont S.t Eloy (Mont-Saint-Éloi 50°21ʹ04ʺN 02°41ʹ35ʺE), through Rocquelen court (Roclincourt 50°19ʹ34ʺN 02°47ʹ13ʺE) in the north to south of Aigny (Agny 50°15ʹ36ʺN 02°45ʹ34ʺE).