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

ANONYMOUS

Map of the siege of Bonn, 1703 (Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany) 50°44'03"N 07°05'43"E

1703 or later

Pencil, pen, ink and watercolour on paper | Scale: not stated. 1:9,000 approx. | RCIN 725020

A map of the siege of Bonn, garrisoned by the French under the command of the marquis d'Alègre, besieged from 3 May 1703 by the Allied army, commanded by the Captain-General, John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough (1650-1722), capitulating on 14 May. War of the Spanish Succession (1701-14). Oriented with west to top.

This plan shows the attacks made by Major-General Dedun on the south hornwork, and those of the Hereditary Prince of Hesse on the northern fortified walls of the town, and of Lieutenant-General Hagel on the fortification on the eastern banks of the Rhine.

Condition: two fold lines; two small tears at bottom of each fold. Verso: induced discolouration; remains of guard.
  • Anonymous (cartographer)

    Subject(s)

    Army-France
    Army-Allied army (War of the Spanish Succession, 1701-1714)
  • Watermark: Strasburg bend and lily; countermark: IV

    Mark, stamped: 69

    Condition: two fold lines; two small tears at bottom of each fold. Verso: induced discolouration; remains of guard

     

  • Scale: not stated. 1:9,000 approx.

    37.1 x 50.1 cm (neatline)

    37.5 x 50.6 cm (image)

    38.9 x 51.8 cm (sheet)

  • Manuscript title:

    LE SIEGE DE / BONN / COMMENCE / LE 3 DE MAY / ET FIN LE 14 / DU MESME MOIS / L’AN 1703. [bottom left, in cartouche representing a stone plinth; written in open capitals]

    Annotations:

    George III heading: Bonn May 1703.

    Other annotations: (Recto) none. (Verso) [bottom, left of centre, black pencil:] 1 [or l?]; [bottom left, black pencil [in Schultz or Mason's hand?:] 1 Bonn May 1703; [bottom, left of centre, black pencil, crossed out in black pencil:] 12; [top, left of centre, black pencil:] 52; [top, left of centre, black pencil:] 12.; [bottom right, black pencil:] Bonn 1703 [followed by a price? erased:] /-.

    George III catalogue entry:

    Bonn Plan dessiné du Siege de Bonn, commencé le 3 et fini le 14 de May 1703. 

  • Subject(s)

    Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany (50°44'03"N 07°05'43"E)