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

A SPENCER (ACTIVE 1705 OR 1745)

Map of Louvain, Vlierbeek, Bierbeek, Terbank and Bethlem, 1705 (Leuven, Flanders, Belgium) 50°52'46"N 04°42'03"E; (just west of Linden, Flanders, Belgium) 50°53'41"N 04°46'13"E; (Bierbeek, Flanders, Belgium 50°49'43"N 04°45'34"E);

1705 or later

Pencil, pen, ink and watercolour on paper; laid down on coarse linen | Scale: 1:22,600 approx. | RCIN 725050

A map of the Allied encampments at Vlierbeek and Bierbeek and those of the French at Terbank near Louvain, 19 July 1705. War of the Spanish Succession (1701-14). Oriented with west to top.

Additional text: [bottom right, in rectangular panel, a key, A-E, to the camps of Marlborough and Overkirk [Hendrik van Nassau, Heer van Ouwerkerk (1640-1708)], the two trains of artillery and the camps and artillery of the French and Spanish:] Explanation.

Condition: six fold lines; worn along folds; a small tear on left edge repaired with paper strip pasted to verso before being laid down on linen. Verso: bottom left, a water-stained patch from removal of Cumberland's cipher label; considerably cut down: only a corner of the shadow of the old cipher label remains.
  • A Spencer (active 1705 or 1745) (draughtsman) [bottom right, below scale statement:] ASpencer.

    Subject(s)

    Army-France
    Army-Allied army (War of the Spanish Succession, 1701-1714)
  • Watermark: A horn in crowned shield, a ‘4’ suspending the letters WR below

    Mark, stamped: 89

    Condition: six fold lines; worn along folds; a small tear on left edge repaired with paper strip pasted to verso before being laid down on linen. Verso: bottom left, a water-stained patch from removal of Cumberland's cipher label; considerably cut down: only a corner of the shadow of the old cipher label remains

  • Scale: 1:22,600 approx. Scale bar: An English Mile [71 mm =].

    33.4 x 43.6 cm (image and neatline)

    33.8 x 44.1 cm (sheet)

  • Manuscript title:

    A PLAN of the Confederate Incampment at / VLIERBEEK Ab: and BIERBECK Bar: / and that of the Enemy at BETLEHEM / and TERBANK near LOVAIN / 19. Iuly 1705. [top centre, in cartouche representing draped material]

    Additional text:

    [bottom right, in rectangular panel, a key, A-E, to the camps of Marlborough and Overkirk [Hendrik van Nassau, Heer van Ouwerkerk (1640-1708)], the two trains of artillery and the camps and artillery of the French and Spanish:] Explanation.

    Annotations:

    George III heading: Encampments at Vlierbeek and Betlehem 19 July 1705.

    Other annotations: (Recto) [bottom right, black pencil, cropped:] [19 July] 1705. (Verso) [bottom, left of centre, ink, obscured by linen:] July 24 1705; [bottom left, black pencil:] II/20; [top, left of centre, ink, obscured by linen:] 2; [right centre, red pencil:] 20.

    George III catalogue entry:

    Encampment A drawn Plan of the Confederate Encampment at Vlierbeek and Bierbeck, and that of the Enemy at Bethlehem and Terbank near Louvain, the 19.th July 1705: by A. Spencer. [The same entry appears under the headings Betlehem and Vlierbeek.]

  • Subject(s)

    Leuven, Flanders, Belgium (50°52'46"N 04°42'03"E)

    just west of Linden, Flanders, Belgium (50°53'41"N 04°46'13"E)

    Bierbeek, Flanders, Belgium (50°49'43"N 04°45'34"E)

    Bethlem/Bethlehem; now part of Herent, Flanders, Belgium (50°54'31"N 04°40'14"E)