UNIQUE MANUSCRIPT MAP OF WOERDEN
“Plan de la ville et du château de Woerden.“ [Plan of the town and castle of Woerden.] Drawing made with pen and watercolour in 1749 based on the design by Otto Wilhelm Falck. Size (paper): 55 x 43 cm.
Woerden had held a strategic position in the defense of Holland and Utrecht since the Middle Ages. The town was surrounded by fortifications that were expanded and strengthened during the Eighty Years’ War (1568-1648), when the Dutch provinces fought for independence from Spain. After the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, which ended the Eighty Years’ War, Woerden remained an important defensive point.
In the 18th century, despite the absence of major military conflicts within the Netherlands itself, the maintenance of fortifications remained a priority for the Dutch government. Fortified towns like Woerden were maintained and sometimes improved, as they were still seen as essential for the defense of the country, particularly against potential French aggression. This was in line with the broader trend in Europe, where fortifications were constantly being adapted to changing military technologies and strategies.
Although the 18th century was relatively peaceful in terms of wars on Dutch territory, there were diplomatic and military tensions in Europe. The Dutch Republic was closely involved in European conflicts, such as the War of the Austrian Succession (1740-1748), in which it initially remained neutral but eventually became involved in diplomatic negotiations and military preparations.
In the mid-18th century, Woerden, though relatively small, played an important role in the military infrastructure of the Dutch Republic. The map from 1749 (which includes a cross-section of the fortifications) can be seen as a reflection of the ongoing attention to defensive preparations during a time of geopolitical uncertainty, despite the lack of direct threats to the country’s borders. Woerden’s history during this period is characterized by the continued care for its fortifications and the strategic value it represented within the broader defense strategy of the Republic.
The German Otto Wilhelm Falck (1679-1730) was in Dutch service as the commander of a regiment of Danish or Oldenburg auxiliary troops during the War of the Spanish Succession. Shortly after the end of the conflict, after he retired in 1712, he moved with his family from East Frisia to Utrecht. Although the map was made after Falck’s death, it was likely created based on his measurements of the town.
Price: Euro 1.650,-
