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

W BRÜCKMAN (ACTIVE 1745)

Oudenaarde, 1708, and Aire, 1710 (Oudenaarde, Flanders, Belgium) 50°51'06"N 03°36'32"E; (Aire-sur-la-Lys, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France) 50°38'19"N 02°23'55"E

dated 1745

Pen and ink on one sheet of paper, folded to give four pages | 30.1 x 38.2 cm (sheet; folded to 30.1 x 19.1 cm) | RCIN 726015.b

An explanatory text to the map of the French encampments near Oudenaarde on 5 November 1708 (see RCIN 726015.a). War of the Spanish Succession (1701-14).

The author, writing from the camp at Lessines in June 1745, explains that he has given the explanation in German as his French is not perfect.

Text begins: Ew: Königliche Hoheit überreiche hie. / mit gantz gehorsahmst eine Carte, worinne ein / theil des Schelde = Flusses, von Gavern bis an / Helschein, in welchen ich die Glorieuse repassirung / der Allürten Armée, unter Commendo Ihro Durch: / des Printzen Eugene, und Ihro Durch: des Her= / tzoges von Marleboroug…

Condition: two fold lines; induced discolouration to both sides.
  • W Brückman (active 1745) (author) [end of document:] Im Lager beÿ / Lessine de 28 Juny. / 1745 [W] Brückmann.

    Subject(s)

    Army-France
    Army-Allied army (War of the Spanish Succession, 1701-1714)
  • Watermark: Coat of arms of England; countermark: the letters GR within a wreath inside a crowned circle

    Mark, stamped: 123

    Condition: two fold lines; induced discolouration to both sides

  • 30.1 x 38.2 cm (sheet; folded to 30.1 x 19.1 cm)

  • Manuscript title:

    Durchlauchtigster Printz, / Gnädigster Hertzog [at top of first page, text begins with a greeting to the Duke of Cumberland?]

    Annotation:

    George III heading: Encampment near Oudenarde 5 Nov.r 1708.

    Other annotations: (Recto) [red ink note to right side of old heading:] Refers also to Plan of Aire 1710 VI/58; [top left, black pencil:] VI/15-a; [top, an erased note in a modern hand, black pencil:] See below CMB Oct '86; [top right, black pencil:] 68. (Verso) [bottom right, black pencil, in Mason's hand?:] II (56).

    George III catalogue entry:

    Encampment Plan dessiné de la Situation d'Oudenarde, avec le Campement de l'Armée Françoise le long de l'Escaut le 5 de Nov.re 1708: par le Capitaine Bruckman Ing.r 3 feuilles avec son detail manuscrit de la Campagne de 1708.  [The same entry appears under the heading Oudenarde]

  • Subject(s)

    Oudenaarde, Flanders, Belgium (50°51'06"N 03°36'32"E)

    Aire-sur-la-Lys, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France (50°38'19"N 02°23'55"E)