This website presents our knowledge and research on this important aspect of the Royal Collection. As of April 2026 it will not be regularly updated and new research on this topic will sit within the main website.

War of the Spanish Succession (1701-14)

Sieges, marches, encampments and famous battles from 1701 to 1712 in Germany, Italy and the Netherlands

A HOPKEY (ACTIVE 1706)

Map of the siege of Ath, 1706 (Ath, Walloon Region, Belgium) 50°37'45"N 03°46'40"E

1706 or later

Pencil, pen, ink and watercolour on paper; laid down on two pieces of coarse linen, stitched together | Scale: 1:23,000 approx. | RCIN 725084

A map of the siege of Ath by the Allied army, commanded by Henry, Count of Nassau, Lord of Overkirk [Hendrik van Nassau, Heer van Ouderkerk (1640-1708)], from 20 September to the surrender of the French garrison on 2 October 1706. War of the Spanish Succession (1701-14). Oriented with west-north-west to top.

The perimeter of the map is marked by numerous estates (‘censes’), and the line of circumvallation passes through or near the following settlements Maffle (50°37'04"N 03°48'11"E), Arbre (50°36'37"N 03°48'54"E), Tongre S.t Martin (Tongre-Saint-Martin 50°35'11"N 03°47'25"E), Vilé St Aimant (Villers-Saint-Amand 50°37'21"N 03°43'53"E), Boveny (Bouvignies 50°38'46"N 03°45'56"E), Herbaix (Rebaix 50°39'35"N 03°46'59"E), Isier (Isières 50°39'47"N 03°49'09"E).

The detail of this map is closely similar to that of RCIN 725085 and may be a copy of it, or vice versa.

Additional text: [top left, below title: a key, A-G to the camp, line of circumvallation, trenches, town of Ath and its gates.] [Bottom right, in rectangular panel, a key, 1-57 to the names of the regiments:] Les Trouppes Pour L’Attaque / 38 Bataillons & 26 Esquadrons.

Condition: no fold lines; an old tear has been repaired by laying the map down on linen; brown stains. Verso: foxing; top left, water-stained patch from the removal of Cumberland's cipher label.
  • A. Hopkey (active 1706) (draughtsman) [bottom right, inside neatline:] A. Hopkey.

    Subject(s)

    Army-Allied army (War of the Spanish Succession, 1701-1714)
  • Watermark: Indistinct: Strasburg bend and lily; countermark: IV

    Mark, stamped: 110

    Condition: no fold lines; an old tear has been repaired by laying the map down on linen; brown stains. Verso: foxing; top left, water-stained patch from the removal of Cumberland's cipher label

  • Scale: 1:23,000 approx. Scale bar: Echelle de 300 [i.e. 3000] Pas [107 mm =].

    34.8 x 45.6 cm (neatline)

    35.4 x 46.7 cm (image)

    38.0 x 50.0 cm (sheet)

  • Printed title:

    PLAN DES ENVIRONS D’ATH / ASSIGÉ PAR LES TROUPPES DES ALLiES / ET PRIS LE 2 Octobre 1706. [top left, in rectangular panel]

    Additional text:

    [top left, below title: a key, A-G to the camp, line of circumvallation, trenches, town of Ath and its gates.] [Bottom right, in rectangular panel, a key, 1-57 to the names of the regiments:] Les Trouppes Pour L’Attaque / 38 Bataillons & 26 Esquadrons.

    Annotations:

    George III heading: Ath 20 Sept.r - 2 Oct. 1706.

    Other annotations: (Recto) none. (Verso) [bottom left, black pencil:] 39; [top, left of centre, ink, obscured by linen:] 8.; [centre, red pencil:] 39.

    George III catalogue entry:

    Ath Plan des Environs d'Ath, assiegée par les Alliés le 20 de Sept.re et prise le 2 d'Oct.re 1706: chez Friex, 1707.

  • Subject(s)

    Ath, Walloon Region, Belgium (50°37'45"N 03°46'40"E)