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A Princely Record of an Epic French Military Campaign at the End of the 17th Century.

This remarkable military manuscript atlas documents the movements and battles of Louis XIV’s army in the Spanish Netherlands during the 1692 campaign of the Nine Years’ War (1688–1697). The war, also known as the War of the Grand Alliance or the War of the League of Augsburg, was fought between France and the Grand Alliance, a coalition including England, the Dutch Republic, the Holy Roman Empire, Spain, and Savoy. The war was driven by Louis XIV’s expansionist ambitions, particularly his efforts to consolidate French control over the Low Countries and secure France’s northeastern border.

This manuscript atlas, though fundamentally a practical document of war, is also a remarkable work of art from the reign of Louis XIV, embodying the grandeur, discipline, and order that defined the artistic and intellectual production of the Sun King’s court. While not quite at the level of the "Atlas de Louis XIV" (Vincennes, Service Historique de l'Armee de Terre, Ms. 988), it is nonetheless a highly finished piece, demonstrating the refinement and precision expected of French military cartography and manuscript illumination during this period.

Historical Context

By the late 17th century, Louis XIV had established France as the dominant power in Europe through a series of wars and territorial acquisitions. His aggressive policies, particularly his attempts to push France’s frontiers beyond the Treaty of Westphalia (1648) and the Treaty of the Pyrenees (1659), alarmed neighboring states. In response, Emperor Leopold I of the Holy Roman Empire, William III of England and the Netherlands, and other European leaders formed the Grand Alliance in 1689, seeking to curb French expansion.

In the Spanish Netherlands (modern Belgium), the war was largely characterized by siege warfare and maneuvering between French and Allied forces, with the French seeking to secure strongholds while the Allies attempted to resist further incursions. The 1692 campaign, led by Marshal François-Henri de Montmorency, duc de Luxembourg, was one of the most notable, featuring the siege of Namur and the Battle of Steenkerque, both of which are prominently documented in this atlas.

The 1692 Campaign

Siege of Namur (May–June 1692): One of the most significant engagements of the war, Namur was a key fortress guarding the Meuse River. Luxembourg’s army, under the supervision of Louis XIV himself, besieged the city, which was defended by an Allied garrison under the command of the Dutch general Menno van Coehoorn. After a month-long siege, Namur capitulated on June 30, marking a major French victory and strengthening Louis XIV’s hold over the region.

Battle of Steenkerque (August 3, 1692): Following the capture of Namur, Luxembourg moved his forces towards the Allies, who were commanded by William III of England. At Steenkerque, William launched a surprise attack on the French camp, but Luxembourg managed to regroup and repel the assault, inflicting heavy casualties on the Allies. The battle demonstrated the effectiveness of French field fortifications and tactical adaptability.

Subsequent Maneuvers: After Steenkerque, the French army continued a series of strategic encampments across Flanders and the Spanish Netherlands, ensuring supply lines and securing forward positions in anticipation of further campaigns.

Significance

This atlas is a princely object of Louis XIV’s military campaigns, offering an unparalleled visual record of French strategic operations in the Spanish Netherlands. The level of detail suggests it may have been commissioned for a senior commander or court official, possibly the duc de Luxembourg or one of Louis XIV’s military aides. It serves as an important artifact from the height of French military power, reflecting the planning, engineering, and battlefield tactics of the era.

The 1692 campaign marked one of the peak moments of French success in the Nine Years’ War. However, the war ultimately ended with the Treaty of Ryswick in 1697, which forced France to return many of its conquests. Despite these setbacks, the conflict cemented Louis XIV’s military reputation and set the stage for future wars, particularly the War of Spanish Succession (1701–1714).

List of Maps

The maps include:

• Large-scale battle plans, including two detailed maps of the Battle of Steenkerque.
• Encampment and marching orders from the French army’s movements in May to August 1692, covering locations such as Feluy, Marbais, Gembloux, Namur, Achêne, Thuin, Ville-sur-Haine, and Courtrai.
• Siege diagrams of Namur, including a detailed circumvallation map showing how the French army enclosed and assaulted the city.
• Troop formations and orders of battle, documenting the deployment of French and enemy forces.

The numbering does not match the internal numbering of the book, which includes the text sections as separate interspersed numbers.)

1. "Ordre de bataille des deux armées le jour de la revue du Roy dans la plaine entre Gevries et les Estines. Le 21e mars 1692". Large folding plan, separate but present. (855 x 1240 mm).
2. "Camps des Estines basses et de Feluy de Givries & de Pieton le 15 & 23e May 1692".
3. "Camps de Feluy & de Marbais de Pieton & St Amand le 23e & 24e May 1692".
4. "Camps de Marbais et de Gemblours, de St Amand et de Masy le 24 & 25 May et de Longchamp le 3e juin 1692".
5. "Carte de la Circonvallation des Villes & Chasteau de Namur. Par l’Armée du Roy. 1692".
6. "Plan de la Ville & Chateau de Namur. Avec les attaques […]".
7. "Camps de Longchamp, de Emptines, & d’Achos. Les 3. 6. 8 & 9e Juin 1692".
8. "Ordre de Bataille de l’Armée du Roy Commandée par M. le Maréchal de Luxembourg au Camp d’Achos. Avec celle des Ennemis au Camp de Villers sur le bord de la Mehaigne durant le siège de Namur. Le 8e Juin jusqu’au 17e 1692". Grand plan dépliant (575 x 868 mm).
9. "Camps d’Achos, de Longchamp, de la Falise, du Bosquet & de Moustiers. Les 9, 17, 20, 22 & 24 Juin 1692".
10. "Camps du Bosquet & de Moustiers. Le 22 & 24e Juin. Et de Saint Gerard. Le 2e Juillet 1692".
11. "Camps de St Gerard et de Thuilly. Le 2e et 6e Juillet 1692".
12. "Camps de Thuilly & de Mierbe Potterie. Le 6 & 7 Juillet 1692".
13. "Camps de Mierbe Potterie. Et de Ville sur Haine. Les 7 & 9 Juillet 1692".
14. "Camps de Ville sur Haine & de Soignies. Le 9 et 10 Juillet 1692".
15. "Camps de Soignies le 10 Juillet. D’Hoves et de Bassilly les 1 et 11 Aoust 1692".
16. "Camps de Ville sur Haine & de Soignies. Le 9 et 10 Juillet 1692".
17. "Carte du combat de Steenkerk ou l’on voit la marche et la disposition des deux armées pour le combat". Plan dépliant (503 x 705 mm).
18. "Carte du combat de Steenkerk ou l’on voit la Rettraite des ennemis et ou les troupes du Roy les ont pousséz le 3 Aoust 192". Plan dépliant (482 x 492 mm).
19. "Ordre de Bataille de l’armée du Roy commandée par Mr le Maréchal Duc de Luxembourg". Tableau.
20. "Camps de Bassilly et Lessines. Les 11 et 15 d’Aoust 1692".
21. "Camps de Lessines & des Pottes. Le 15 et 26 d’Aoust 1692".
22. "Camps des Pottes, d’Harlebeck, et de Courtray. Les 26, 27 & 29 d’Aoust. Avec les Camps au-delà de l’Escaut pour aller dans ses quartiers de Fourages le 5 oct. 1692". Plan dépliant (505 x 440 mm).
23. "Carte des Villages de la Chatellenie d’Ath, ou l’armee étoit en quartiers de fourages. Les croix bleues sont les postes ou il y avoit des postes d’Infanterie".