PLAN DE LA VILLE DE VALENCIENNES ASSIEGÉE PAR L’ARMÉE DU ROY COMMANDÉE PAR SA MAJESTÉ EN PERSONNE ET EMPORTÉE D’ASSAUT LE 17 DE MAY 1677

Cartographer: Not stated
Publisher: H Jaillot, Paris, France
Price: £75 (post-free in the UK)
Publication Date: 1677
Edition: 1st edition
Format: Copper engraving
Condition: In very good condition, unframed
Sheet Size: 62cm x 48.4cm

Condition:

Central fold line. Age toning, dustiness and minor spotting to the plate. Reverse is blank and has age-toning and minor marks. In very good condition overall.

Location: Map Drawer C: FS: Folder M2000 002565

The Siege of Valenciennes, 1677: A Short History

The Siege of Valenciennes in 1677 was a pivotal episode during the Franco-Dutch War (1672–1678), a conflict that shaped the balance of power in Europe during the reign of King Louis XIV of France. This event, marked by meticulous planning and aggressive tactics, epitomised the military might of the French army and the strategic brilliance of Louis XIV and his engineers.

Historical Context

The Franco-Dutch War began as Louis XIV sought to expand French territory and assert dominance over the Dutch Republic and its allies. By the mid-1670s, the war had escalated to include Spain and the Holy Roman Empire, creating a multi-front conflict. Valenciennes, a fortified city in the Spanish Netherlands (modern-day northern France), became a focal point due to its strategic location along key trade and military routes.

Valenciennes was a highly fortified city, protected by modern bastions and earthworks, making it a formidable obstacle. Its capture would secure French control over the region and provide a springboard for further expansion.

Preparations for the Siege

Louis XIV, determined to demonstrate his leadership and military prowess, personally commanded the siege, accompanied by his most trusted generals and engineers. The French army was at the height of its power, benefiting from reforms initiated by Louis XIV and his minister of war, the Marquis de Louvois. These reforms had professionalised the army, improved logistics, and integrated cutting-edge siege techniques.

• Engineering Expertise: The famed military engineer Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban played a critical role in designing and overseeing the siege. Vauban’s expertise in trench warfare and fortification breaches was instrumental in ensuring the operation’s success.
• Logistical Preparation: The French forces were well-supplied with artillery, ammunition, and provisions, ensuring sustained pressure on the defenders.

The Siege Unfolds

The siege began in early March 1677 and was conducted with precision and relentless determination.

1. Encirclement of the City: The French army established a comprehensive blockade, cutting off Valenciennes from external reinforcements and supplies. Trenches and redoubts were constructed to shield French forces from enemy fire and to prepare for a direct assault.
2. Artillery Bombardment: French artillery relentlessly bombarded the city’s walls and bastions, weakening the fortifications. Vauban’s siege techniques emphasised systematic and methodical advances, targeting specific weak points in the city’s defences.
3. Trench Warfare: Using Vauban’s principles, the French dug parallel trenches closer and closer to the city walls. These “approaches” allowed troops to advance under cover, reducing casualties and positioning the French army for a final assault.
4. The Assault: On 17 May 1677, after weeks of bombardment and trench advancement, the French forces launched a coordinated assault on Valenciennes. The defenders, exhausted and demoralised, were overwhelmed by the disciplined and numerically superior French troops. The city fell to the French army, marking a decisive victory for Louis XIV.

Aftermath and Impact

1. Strategic Gains: The capture of Valenciennes solidified French control over a significant portion of the Spanish Netherlands. This victory was part of a broader campaign that saw France consolidate its northern frontier, creating a buffer zone against future invasions.
2. Political Triumph: The success of the siege enhanced Louis XIV’s reputation as a formidable military leader and furthered his ambitions as Europe’s dominant monarch. It also demonstrated the effectiveness of French military reforms and the innovative strategies employed by Vauban.
3. The Treaty of Nijmegen: The Siege of Valenciennes and other French victories during the Franco-Dutch War eventually forced Spain and its allies to negotiate. The Treaty of Nijmegen (1678) recognised France’s territorial gains, including Valenciennes, and marked a high point in Louis XIV’s reign.

Legacy

The Siege of Valenciennes is remembered as a landmark event in 17th-century European military history. It showcased the evolution of siege warfare, particularly the innovations introduced by Vauban, whose methods would influence military strategy for centuries. The siege also underscored the importance of fortifications and the interplay between engineering and warfare.

Valenciennes’ fall symbolised the power and ambition of Louis XIV, whose territorial expansions would define the political landscape of Europe during his reign. The city itself would remain under French control, its history indelibly marked by the events of 1677.

Alexis-Hubert Jaillot : A Short Biography

Alexis-Hubert Jaillot was a prominent French cartographer and publisher in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. His contributions to cartography, particularly through the enhancement and dissemination of existing maps, played a significant role in the evolution of French mapmaking during the reign of King Louis XIV.

Early Life and Background

Born around 1632 in Avignon-lès-Saint-Claude, France, Jaillot initially trained as a sculptor. In 1657, he relocated to Paris with his brother, Pierre Simon Jaillot, an ivory sculptor. This move marked the beginning of his transition from sculpture to cartography.

Transition to Cartography

Jaillot’s entry into the world of mapmaking was facilitated by his marriage to Jeanne Berey, daughter of Nicolas I Berey, a renowned engraver and cartographer. Following the deaths of Nicolas I Berey in 1665 and his son Nicolas II Berey in 1667, Jaillot and his wife took over the family’s publishing business, “Les Deux Globes,” located on the Quai des Augustins in Paris.

Collaboration with the Sanson Family

Recognising the importance of accurate and detailed maps, Jaillot collaborated with the heirs of Nicolas Sanson, a leading French cartographer. He acquired and revised Sanson’s plates, enhancing them with elaborate cartouches and updated information. This partnership led to the publication of the “Atlas Nouveau” in 1681, a significant work that combined Sanson’s geographic detail with Jaillot’s artistic embellishments.

Royal Recognition and Contributions

Jaillot’s meticulous work earned him the title of “Géographe du Roi” (Geographer to the King) and a pension from King Louis XIV. His maps were not only practical tools but also works of art, reflecting the grandeur of the French monarchy. Jaillot’s atlases and maps were instrumental in educating the Dauphin and were esteemed for their precision and aesthetic quality.

Later Life and Legacy

Jaillot continued his cartographic endeavours until his death on 2 November 1712 in Paris. His legacy was carried on by his son, Bernard-Jean-Hyacinthe Jaillot (1673–1739), and his grandson, Bernard-Antoine Jaillot, both of whom upheld the family’s reputation in mapmaking. The Jaillot family’s work remains a testament to the rich tradition of French cartography in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Notable Works

• “Atlas Nouveau” (1681): A comprehensive atlas that showcased updated and embellished maps originally created by Nicolas Sanson.
• “Atlas François” (1692–1695): A compilation of maps that further solidified Jaillot’s reputation as a leading cartographer of his time.

Jaillot’s maps are celebrated for their artistic cartouches and detailed geographical information, reflecting the scientific and artistic advancements of his era. His contributions significantly influenced the field of cartography, bridging the gap between artistic expression and scientific precision.

SHOP WITH CONFIDENCE AT HORNSEYS

At Hornseys, we are dedicated to offering items that uphold the highest standards of quality and authenticity. Our collection of artwork is carefully curated to ensure that each item we offer is authentic, collated, and complete.

Here’s what sets us apart:

• Authenticity and Provenance: Each map is researched and verified for authenticity.
• Expert Curation: We entirely own all our artworks. We trust our taste and have invested heavily in it. We have confidence in all artwork that we offer for sale.
• Customer Satisfaction: We strive to provide an exceptional customer experience, from detailed descriptions and provenance to secure and prompt delivery of your purchase.
• Returns Policy: We offer an unconditional guarantee on every item. If, however, you wish to make a return, artworks may be sent back to us within fourteen days of receipt for whatever reason. We request that we are notified in advance if you wish to do so. They must be returned to us in the same condition as they were sent for a full refund.

OUR COMMITMENT TO QUALITY AND SERVICE

Understanding the value and rarity of these items, we ensure that every aspect of your purchase meets the highest standards of quality and service. This includes:

• Free Expedited, Tracked, and Insured Delivery within the UK: Ensuring that your artwork arrives safely and promptly.
• Fully-Insured Worldwide Delivery: Offering peace of mind for international collectors with reliable and secure shipping options.

EXPLORE OUR COLLECTION

Visit Hornseys today to explore our fine collection of maps and other artworks. Whether you are an avid collector or looking for a special gift, our selection offers something truly unique. Located since 1976 in Ripon in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales, we are recognized as a destination gallery for tastefully curated artwork, rare maps, design, and fine books.