Rare manuscript plan of the seige of Cheb

Plan d'Egra Ville Forte Situee sur la frontiere de Boheme, et du haut palatinat de Bavierre en 1742.

Eastern Europe Europe
  • Publication date: 1742
  • Physical description: Manuscript plan with fine original hand-colour, dissected and mounted on linen, key and title to right margin.
  • Dimensions: 600 by 390mm (23.5 by 15.25 inches).
  • Inventory reference: 2719

Notes

Plan of the Siege of Cheb by French forces in the Bavarian and Bohemian campaign of 1742, during the War of Austrian Succession.

The plan shows the town’s environs with the besieging army’s trenches and batteries clearly marked. A key to the right of the plan gives information on important buildings and defensive points within the town.

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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