Thirty Years War (1618-48)
Maps, prints and letterpress text covering the major battles and sieges of the war
Battle of Bílá Hora, Prague and Rakovnik, 1620
1620 or laterEngraving and etching; printed on paper; mounted on paper (Mount Type A); gilt edges left, bottom and right | 26.7 x 32.6 cm (image and sheet) | RCIN 721142.a
Four small views of the Battle of Bílá Hora (White Mountain), which was fought on 8 November 1620 between Protestant rebels of Bohemia, commanded by Prince Christian of Anhalt (11 May 1568-17 April 1630) and the Catholic forces of the Holy Roman Empire (commanded by Johan Tserclaes, Count of Tilly (February 1559-30 April 1632), resulting in an Imperial victory. Thirty Years War (1618-1648).
The original print, before it was cut down, had what appears to have been a letterpress title in Gothic lettering: Abriss bey der Keyserischen und Bohmischen Feldlager und darauff erfolgten Blutigen Schlacht und Niederlag der böhmischen Armada im Prager Revier. See: http://www.30letavalka.eu/medirytiny.html?lang=en#ryt-28 (last accessed 25 Jan 2016).
Explanatory text, in Italian, is at RCIN 721142.b.
Anonymous (cartographer)
Watermark: Indistinct device in shield, the letters I and WA to either side
Condition: one fold line to mount and print
26.7 x 32.6 cm (image and sheet)
cropped (platemark)
39.7 x 54.9 cm (mount)
12.5 x 16.0 cm (neatline figure A)
12.5 x 16.1 cm (neatline figure B)
12.3 x 16.0 cm (neatline figure C)
12.3 x 15.9 cm (neatline figure D)
Printed title:
No overall title. [Four views of the Battle of Bílá Hora, 8th November 1620.]
Additional text:
[The captions to each of the four views, which are engraved below the neatline of each view, are given in alphabetical order:]
Alhie in A. ist eigentlich zusehen, wie beÿde Lägern vor der Statt Rackonik gegen einander / gelegen, auch was sich alda begeben, und zugetragen.
In dise [sic] Figur B. ist zusehen, wie die Kaÿ: der Böhemischen Armada biss vor der Stern oder Thiergarten / starck nachgesetzt, und wie die Cassacken anfangs mitt ihnen Scharmutziert haben.
Diese Figur C. weiset an, das Haupt: oder General treffen auff und umb den Weissenberg dar auff die / Bömisch Königliche Armada mitt gross Verluss, gantz Zertrent, und in die Flucht geschlagen worden.
Figur mit D.weiset an, wie Ihr Hoch Furstl: Durchl: in Baijern, nach erhaltener Victori, sich naher PRAG begeben, und wie / sie alda in Namen Keiserl: May: von den klein Seittner Burgerschafft in unterthänigkait sein auffgenommen worden.
Annotations:
George III heading: Prague Nov.r 1620.
Other annotations: (Recto) [bottom right, black pencil:] 1620. (Verso) none.
George III catalogue entry:
Prague Disegno della Battaglia, overo Giornatta, fatta ultimamente vicino a la Citta di Praga in nome del Imperatore sotto la condotta del Duca di Baviera, contra l’Essercito delli Bohemi adi 9 di Novembre 1620. (four views on one sheet; with a Description)
Subject(s)
Bílá Hora, near Prague, Czech Republic (50°04ʹN 14°19ʹE)
Prague, Hlavní Mesto Praha, Czech Republic (50°05'16"N 14°25'14"E)
Rakovnik [Rakonitz], Central Bohemia, Czech Republic (50°06ʹ13ʺN 13°44ʹ00ʺE)
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. 2831
Page revisions
14 March 2024
Current version
