Rethel. En Champagne

Title

Rethel. En Champagne

Description

Bird’s-eye view depicting the Battle of Rethel (1650), with an index from A to V, a title banner, and a decorative border.

ca. 1650

Artist

Beaulieu de Sébastien (1612-1674)

The uniqueness of Sébastien de Beaulieu’s (c. 1612–1674) work lies partly in the fact that he was simultaneously a lieutenant-colonel and a court engineer and geographer, and that he drew and had engraved the military campaigns of Louis XIV’s reign. As early as 1642, he received a licence from Louis XIII to have the siege of Perpignan engraved, and continued this with the depiction and description of France’s great victories since Rocroi in 1643. After his death, his heirs continued his work until 1694 and published the complete set of engravings under the title ‘The Glorious Conquests of Louis the Great’.

Historical Description

The Battle of Rethel took place on 15 December 1650 during the French Fronde. Royal forces under Marshal du Plessis-Praslin defeated the army commanded by Turenne, which was supported by Spanish troops. The victory strengthened the French Crown in its struggle against the rebellious nobility and contributed to the consolidation of royal authority under Louis XIV.