Military & Political · 17th century
€ 840
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Good, given age. General age-related toning, creasing and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Middle fold line as issued, slightly brownish. Please study scan carefully.
The print is a historical depiction of the Siege of Bergen (also known as Mons) in Hainaut in 1572, during the Eighty Years' War.
This event is significant as it involved Count Louis of Nassau capturing Bergen with stratagem and subsequently being besieged by the Duke of Alva, starting on August 18, 1572. The foreground of the print shows the forces of the Prince of Orange attempting to relieve the city, while the right side of the print depicts the army of Alva.
This illustration is from: Famiani Stradae Romani e Societate Iesv De bello Belgico. Romae : Typis Francisci Corbelletti, 1632 (dl. 1), fol. 262.
Mons in Hainaut won by trickery by Count Louis of Nassau, is besieged by Alva, August 18, 1572. In the foreground the army of the Prince of Orange in an attempt to relieve the city, on the right the army of Alva. With 5-line caption with the legend A-R in Latin.
The Latin translated:
The recovery of the mountains by Governor Alba. 1572.
A. Mons, City of Hainaut.
B. The Episcopal monastery, from which the people of Mons were repelled by the troops sent ahead by Alba.
C. Battle between the French under the leadership of Tensilisio and the Spaniards under the leadership of Federico, son of Alba.
D. Chaplain Vitellius, wounded, arranging the line of battle.
E. The Lenisiani routed.
F. The line of circumvallation.
G. Camp of Duke Alba.
H. Place from which the city was bombarded.
I. Army of Orange, to liberate Mons.
K. Battle between the Catholics and the Orangists.
L. Orange encouraging his men.
M. Alba sending in his men.
N. Troops of Alba hastening to support.
O. Cavalry of Alba also advancing.
P. Women of Mons discovered as scouts.
Q. Festival fires because of the news of the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre.
R. Camp of Orange, attacked during the night by the Spaniards by surprise.
