Plan of the attack and defence of Prague, during the French occupation of 1742

Plan de Prague Joint a la Position du Camp des Francois sous cette place et a l’ataque et deffence pendant les mois d’Aoust et Septembre 1742.

Eastern Europe Europe
  • Publication date: 1742
  • Physical description: Manuscript plan with original hand-colour, dissected and mounted on linen, key to map and list of infantry and cavalry to right of plan.
  • Dimensions: 350 by 230mm (13.75 by 9 inches).
  • Inventory reference: 2768

Notes

Plan of the attack and defence of Prague, during the French occupation of 1742. The French had occupied the city as part of the Bavarian and Bohemian campaign, during the War of Austrian Succession. A key to the left right margins gives details upon the dates of construction of the redoubts and batteries; and the composition of the French army. Trenches are marked in yellow; with the direction and range of the artillery in red.

Provenance

From the Library of the Dukes of Luynes.

Charles Louis d’Albert de Luynes (1717-1771) was a French nobleman and member of the House of Albert. He was the fifth Duke of Luynes as well as Duke of Chevreuse.

He took part in the war in 1733 in the War of the Polish Succession. He also took part in campaigns in 1735 and 1745, the latter in the War of the Austrian Succession, and was injured in combat at Sahay at the head of the Dragoons. He participated in the attack of Prague in 1742, and also assisted in various sieges and battles of the era.

In 1754, he was created a Colonel General of the Dragoons. From 1757 to 1771, he was the Gouverneur de Paris (Military governor of Paris), an ancient and prestigious rank representing the king in the capital. He also was created a Knight of the Order of the Holy Spirit at Versailles on 2 February 1759.

He died in Paris in his Hôtel. He was buried at the Chapelle de Saint Jean l’Évangeliste at the Église Saint-Sulpice, Paris.

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