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

EUGÈNE HENRI FRICX (JANUARY 1644-18 DECEMBER 1730)

Map of the siege of Mons, 1709 (Mons, Walloon Region, Belgium) 50°27'14"N 03°57'08"E

published 1709

Etching and engraving; printed on paper; some hand-colouring | Scale: not stated. | RCIN 726038

A map of the siege of Mons, 20 September-20 October 1709, by the Allied army commanded by John William Friso, Prince of Orange (1687-1711), resulting in the surrender of the town by the French. War of the Spanish Succession (1701-14). Oriented with north-west to top.

The map shows only the south-eastern side of Mons, with the attacks against the Porte de Havré, Porte de Guerites, and Porte de Berlamont.

Additional text: [bottom right, below title, in title cartouche, a key, A-I to the town, attacks, batteries for cannon and mortars, quarters, and galleries.]

Condition: one fold line; this item has been considerably trimmed because the traces of only half of Cumberland's cipher label are visible on the verso, bottom right.
  • Eugène Henri Fricx (January 1644-18 December 1730) (publisher) [bottom right, below title and text:] A Bruxelles Chez Eugene Henry Fricx Imprimeur du Roy, ruë de la / Magdeleine 1709.

    Jacques Harrewyn (1660-1727) (engraver) [bottom right, outside border:] Harrewyn fecit.

    Subject(s)

    Army-Allied army (War of the Spanish Succession, 1701-1714)
  • Watermark: None visible

    Condition: one fold line; this item has been considerably trimmed because the traces of only half of Cumberland's cipher label are visible on the verso, bottom right

  • Scale: not stated. The scale for the surrounding country is about 1:12,500; the scale for the fortifications is likely to be larger.

    18.8 x 29.6 cm (neatline)

    19.3 x 30.1 cm (image)

    19.8 x 30.6 cm (platemark)

    23.8 x 34.2 cm (sheet)

  • Printed title:

    Dessein des Attaques de la Ville / de Mons [bottom right, in plain cartouche]

    Additional text:

    [bottom right, below title, in title cartouche, a key, A-I to the town, attacks, batteries for cannon and mortars, quarters, and galleries.]

    Annotations:

    George III heading: Mons 20 Sept.r - 20 Oct.r 1709.

    Other annotations: (Recto) none. (Verso) [centre, red pencil:] 77.

    George III catalogue entry:

    Mons Plan des Attaques de la Ville de Mons en 1709, chez Friex, 1709.

  • Subject(s)

    Mons, Walloon Region, Belgium (50°27'14"N 03°57'08"E)