[NAMUR, Siege of.]

Plan du siege de Namur.

Paris, C. Gournay, 1708. 440 x 660 mm, engraved plan; uncoloured. A detailed plan of Namur and its fortifications showing the 1695 siege of the city by the Allied forces in the War of the League of Augsburg. Namur had been in French hands since 1692 when Louis XIV’s forces had occupied it. In 1695 it ‘was actually a good deal stronger than it had been three years earlier, for the French had a garrison of 13,000 in the place, and they had surrounded the fortifications with an outer zone of arrow-shaped works called “lunettes” ’ (Duffy, Siege warfare II p. 30). Although, nominally the town was being invested under the leadership of the Dutch Grand Master of Artillery, Julius von Tettau, the Elector of Bavaria (and new governor of the Spanish Netherlands) had insisted that the former follow the instructions of the Netherland’s Vauban equivalent, Menno van Coehoorn, who in 1691 had reinforced Namur’s citadel complex. His ‘technique of well-timed bombardment and assault was aimed as much at shattering the morale of the garrison as at gaining ground, and on 1 September he was rewarded when the French unexpectedly asked to capitulate. This very important re-conquest cemented Coehoorn’s reputation. King William now promoted him lieutenant-general and made him Director General of Fortifications in place of du Puy de L’Espinasse, who had been mortally wounded in the siege. On his side Charles II of Spain showed his appreciation by bestowing on Coehoorn the title of baron’ (Duffy p. 30). ‘The siege of Namur was the key military event of the year’ (Lynn, The wars of Louis XIV pp. 249–50).

• GBP 750.00 > другие валюты
• номер заказа: T2700

• продавец: Bernard Quaritch Ltd. (GREAT BRITAIN)