War of the Spanish Succession (1701-14)
Sieges, marches, encampments and famous battles from 1701 to 1712 in Germany, Italy and the Netherlands
Siege of Aire, 1710
PLAN / De la Ville D'AIRE et de ses Envirous, representeé dans / l'état qu'Elle étoit lors qu'Elle fut Assiegée par les / Hauts-Alliés sous le Commandement de Son A.S. Monseig.r le Prince d'Anhalt Dessau, investie le 6...
published 1711Etching and engraving; printed on paper | Scale: 1:48,700 approx. | RCIN 726059
The date of 9 November for the surrender of the fortress is taken from Ostwald (2007), p.343.
Jean Henri Weber, the surveyor of this map was an engineer in the service of Charles I (1654-1730), Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel from 1670 until 1730 who rented his army to others during the War of the Spanish Succession.
Other commanders included Arnold Joost van Keppel, 1st Earl of Albemarle (1670-1718) and Leopold I, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau (1676-1747), who commanded the Prussian troops.
The map extends from Terrone (Thérouanne 50°38'13"N 02°15'30"E) in the north-west to Blairinghem (Blaringhem 50°41'27"N 02°24'11"E) in the north-east, and from Linghem (50°35'36"N 02°22'11"E) in the south-west to south-east of Molinghem (50°36'46"N 02°27'41"E) in the south-east.
The information is similar to that of RCIN 726058 and shows river valleys, marshy and flooded areas, settlements; road directions are given and the fortifications of Aire, together with the three attaques, are shown. The positions of the encamped troops, together with regimental names, and the quarters of Marlborough and other commanding officers are marked.
Additional text: [bottom right, in cartouche representing a carved stone tablet, a key, A-I, K-S, to the town, fort of St François, various fieldworks, lines, camps, bridges, etc:] RENVOY.
Condition: two fold lines. Verso: bottom, right of centre, water-stained patch, shadow and ghosting from the removal of Cumberland's cipher label.
Eugène Henri Fricx (January 1644-18 December 1730) (publisher) [bottom left, inside neatline:] A Bruxelles Chez Eugene Henri Fricx, Ruë de la Madeleine, 1711.
Jean Henri Weber (active 1710-11) (surveyor and draughtsman) [bottom left, following on from title, in title cartouche:] Exactement levé et dessiné par Jean Henri Weber / Capitaine et Ingenieur de S.A.S. Monseig.r le / Land-Grave de Hesse-Cassell.
Jacques-Gerard Harrewyn (active 1708-11) (engraver) [bottom right, inside neatline:] I.G. Harrewyn le jeune Fecit.
Watermark: None
Condition: two fold lines. Verso: bottom, right of centre, water-stained patch, shadow and ghosting from the removal of Cumberland's cipher label
Scale: 1:48,700 approx. Scale bar: Eschelle [sic] [64 mm =] 1600. Toises.
46.7 x 59.6 cm (neatline)
47.5 x 60.6 cm (image)
48.3 x 61.3 cm (platemark)
54.6 x 63.3 cm (sheet)
Printed title:
PLAN / De la Ville D'AIRE et de ses Envirous, representeé dans / l'état qu'Elle étoit lors qu'Elle fut Assiegée par les / Hauts-Alliés sous le Commandement de Son A.S. Monseig.r le Prince d'Anhalt Dessau, investie le 6. Septembre et / Prise le 8 Novembre 1710. à 6. heures du soir. [bottom left, in cartouche representing a carved stone tablet]
Additional text:
[bottom right, in cartouche representing a carved stone tablet, a key, A-I, K-S, to the town, fort of St François, various fieldworks, lines, camps, bridges, etc:] RENVOY.
Annotations:
George III heading: Aire 6 Sept.r - 8 Nov.r 1710.
Other annotations: (Recto) none. (Verso) [top right, ink:] D.a. [the ‘D’ is crossed out in black pencil, the ‘a.’ is scraped out]; [top right, ink, in Schultz's? hand:] Netherlands; [top right, black pencil:] 16; [top right, black pencil:] 102.; [bottom right, black pencil:] aire; [bottom, left of centre, black pencil, an illegible note ending with the date:] le 8 Nov 1710; [bottom, left of centre, black pencil:] 95; [right centre, red pencil:] 95.
George III catalogue entry:
Aire Plan de la Ville d'Aire et de ses Environs, representée dans l'etat qu'elle etoit lorsqu'elle fut assiegée par les Hauts Alliés sous le commandement du Prince d'Anhalt Dessau, investie le 6 Sept.re et prise le 8 Nov.re 1710, par le Capitaine I.H. Weber Ing.r chez Friex, 1711.
Subject(s)
Aire-sur-la-Lys, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France (50°38'19"N 02°23'55"E)
