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 Guelders, 1703 (Geldern, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany) 51°31'08"N 06°19'25"E

1703 or later

Pen, ink and watercolour on paper | Scale: not stated. 1:31,000 approx. | RCIN 725032

A map of the siege of Guelders, begun by the Prussians, commanded by Field Marshal Carl Philipp Graf von Wylich und Lottum (1650-1719) in February 1703 and surrendered by the French on 15 December. War of the Spanish Succession (1701-14). Oriented with west to top.

This map has been removed from a volume, made about 1719 or later, of manuscript maps and plans of sieges. Other maps, perhaps in a different hand but, apparently from the same volume, are scattered throughout the collection: RCINs [724061], [724090], 725007, 725009, 725011, 725013, 725021, 725023, 725027, 725030, 725041, [725044], 725045, 725047, [725055], 725074, 725087, 725098, 726007, 726014, 726022, 726041, 726045, 726053, 726065, 726073, 726080, 726086, 726090, 727004, 727007, 727011, 727013, 727014.

Additional text: [bottom left, in ractangular panel, a key, A-I, K-L, m, n, to the lines, redoubts, infantry and cavalry posts, communication bridge, and the most suitable ground for bombardment:] Renvoi des Lettres.

Condition: one fold line; four gilt edges. Verso: colour has migrated through to verso; remains of guard.

  • Anonymous (cartographer)

    Subject(s)

    Army-Prussia
  • Watermark: Fleur-de-lys in crowned shield, a ‘4’ suspending the letters WR below; countermark: IV

    Mark, stamped: 77

    Condition: one fold line; four gilt edges. Verso: colour has migrated through to verso; remains of guard

  • Scale: not stated. 1:31,000 approx.

    34.4 x 43.4 cm (neatline)

    35.9 x 44.9 cm (image)

    52.7 x 74.2 cm (sheet)

  • Manuscript title:

    No title

    Additional text:

    [bottom left, in ractangular panel, a key, A-I, K-L, m, n, to the lines, redoubts, infantry and cavalry posts, communication bridge, and the most suitable ground for bombardment:] Renvoi des Lettres.

    Annotations:

    George III heading: Gueldres taken by the Prussians 15 Dec.r 1703.

    Other annotations: (Recto) [top right, ink:] 43. (Verso) [top right, black pencil: illegible: the old heading?]; [top right, ink:] 43; [top right, red pencil:] 1703; [bottom, right of centre, red pencil:] 4/36; [bottom, right of centre, black pencil:] V/34; [bottom, right of centre, black pencil, erased: old heading].

    George III catalogue entry:

    Gueldres Plan dessiné de Gueldres prise par les Prussiens le 15 Dec.re 1703

  • Subject(s)

    Geldern, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany (51°31'08"N 06°19'25"E)