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

COVENS & MORTIER : AMSTERDAM (JOHANNES COVENS (1697-1774) AND CORNELIS MORTIER (1699-1783))

Map of Ostend, 1706 (Oostende, Flanders, Belgium) 51°13'24"N 02°54'42"E

1721 or later

Etching and engraving; printed on paper | Scale: 1:18,500 approx. | RCIN 725073

A map of Ostend and environs, besieged by the Allied army, commanded by Henry, Count of Nassau, Lord of Overkirk [Hendrik van Nassau, Heer van Ouderkerk] (1640-1708), from 7 June to its surrender on 8 July 1706. War of the Spanish Succession (1701-14). Oriented with north-north-west to top (compass rose).

The publication of this map must have post-dated the founding of Covens' and Mortiers' company on 20 November 1721. It covers an area extending approximately from Bredene (51°14'05"N 02°58'32"E) in the north-east to Leffingen (Leffinge 51°10'33"N 02°53'01"E) in the south-west. The encamped regiments of the Allied army are shown and named; the approach works to the south-west of Ostend are also marked.

Additional text: [top left, in Dutch, a key, 1-23; a-h, to various locations in and around Ostend:] VERKLARING. [Top right, in rectangular panel, the same key in French:] EXPLICATION [top, below title, in Dutch, a key: A-I, K-S, to the quarters and camps of the Allied army, and their trenches and batteries.]

Condition: one fold line; about 5 cms have been trimmed from the bottom margin. Verso: some smudged offsetting; bottom, right of centre, ghosting from the top portion of Cumberland's cipher label, the rest trimmed.
  • Covens & Mortier : Amsterdam (Johannes Covens (1697-1774) and Cornelis Mortier (1699-1783)) (publisher) [top, following on from title:] uytgegeven door JOHANNES COVENS en CORNELIS MORTIER te AMSTERDAM.

    Subject(s)

    Army-Allied army (War of the Spanish Succession, 1701-1714)
  • Watermark: [Countermark?:] WM

    Condition: one fold line; about 5 cms have been trimmed from the bottom margin. Verso: some smudged offsetting; bottom, right of centre, ghosting from the top portion of Cumberland's cipher label, the rest trimmed

  • Scale: 1:18,500 approx. Echelle de 200 Toises [21 mm =].

    40.3 x 52.1 cm (neatline)

    40.8 x 52.7 cm (image)

    41.6 x 53.2 cm (platemark)

    48.3 x 63.8 cm (sheet)

  • Printed title:

    PLAN vande Gelegenhyd der Stad OSTENDE. [across top centre of map]

    Additional text:

    [top left, in Dutch, a key, 1-23; a-h, to various locations in and around Ostend:] VERKLARING. [Top right, in rectangular panel, the same key in French:] EXPLICATION [top, below title, in Dutch, a key: A-I, K-S, to the quarters and camps of the Allied army, and their trenches and batteries.]

    Annotations: 

    George III heading: Ostend 17 June - 8 July 1706.

    Other annotations: (Recto) none. (Verso) [top right, black pencil:] 46.; [bottom right, ink:] B; [bottom right, black pencil, beneath ink:] 8; [right of centre, red pencil:] 31.

    George III catalogue entry:

    Ostend Plan du Siege d'Ostende en 1706: chez Covens et Mortier.

  • Subject(s)

    Oostende, Flanders, Belgium (51°13'24"N 02°54'42"E)