This website presents our knowledge and research on this important aspect of the Royal Collection. As of April 2026 it will not be regularly updated and new research on this topic will sit within the main website.

War of the Spanish Succession (1701-14)

Sieges, marches, encampments and famous battles from 1701 to 1712 in Germany, Italy and the Netherlands

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Map of encampment at Helkijn, 1706 (Helkijn, Flanders, Belgium) 50°43'55"N 03°23'02"E

1706 or later

Pencil, pen, ink and watercolour on paper; laid down on linen | Scale: 1:13,000 approx. | RCIN 725078

A map of the encampment of the Allied army, commanded by John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough (1650-1722), at Helkijn, 11-24 July 1706. War of the Spanish Succession (1701-14). Oriented with south-west to top.

The camp extends from Helchin (Helkijn) and Bossutt (Bossuit 50°44'54"N 03°24'29"E) in the south-east to north of S.t Denis (Sint-Denijs 50°45'07"N 03°21'58"E) and Moenen (Moen 50°46'12"N 03°23'41"E), towards the north-west. Hautrive (Outrijve 50°45'27"N 03°25'46"E), on the banks of the Scheldt, is shown to the north-east.

Additional text: [across bottom of map, a key, 1-98, to the names of the encamped regiments as they appear on the map:] Ordre / de Bataille.

Condition: one fold line; pin holes around edges. Verso: induced discolouration; some foxing; a linen stamp: a circular stamp, with words around the edge (FORT [?], rest illegible), a thistle in the centre, and a number [?116] written to the side; top left, water-stained patch from the removal of Cumberland's cipher label.
  • Anonymous (cartographer)

    Subject(s)

    Army-Allied army (War of the Spanish Succession, 1701-1714)
  • Watermark: Fleur-de-lys; countermark: IV

    Mark, stamped: 106

    Condition: one fold line; pin holes around edges. Verso: induced discolouration; some foxing; a linen stamp: a circular stamp, with words around the edge (FORT [?], rest illegible), a thistle in the centre, and a number [?116] written to the side; top left, water-stained patch from the removal of Cumberland's cipher label

  • Scale: 1:13,000 approx. Scale bar: Eschelle [sic] de 1000 Pas Commune [61 mm =].

    29.6 x 45.0 cm (neatline)

    35.5 x 45.7 cm (image)

    38.4 x 51.0 cm (sheet)

  • Manuscript title:

    Plan de la Premiere Campment / des Alliez Commandez par son / Altesse Monseigneur le Duc de / Marleborough à Helchin, / depuis l’11me jusqu’au 24 Juillet 1706. [bottom centre, in rectangular panel]

    Additional text:

    [across bottom of map, a key, 1-98, to the names of the encamped regiments as they appear on the map:] Ordre / de Bataille.

    Annotations:

    George III heading: Encampment at Helchin 11-24 July 1706.

    Other annotations: (Recto) none. (Verso) [bottom left, black pencil:] 35; [bottom left, along left edge, obscured by linen, ink:] Helchin le 11-24 juillet 1706; [top left, ink, in Schultz's hand, obscured by linen:] Netherlands 12; [centre, red pencil:] 35.

    George III catalogue entry:

    Encampment Plan dessiné du premier Campement des Alliés commandés par le Duc de Marlborough a Helchin, depuis le 11.e jusqu'au 24 Juillet 1706. [The same entry appears under the heading Helchin.]

  • Subject(s)

    Helkijn, Flanders, Belgium (50°43'55"N 03°23'02"E)