Ramillies 1706-2014
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| the new books Copyright 2014 Osprey Publishing |
Well folks, its been a while (i'm not a naturally inclined blogger), but i felt as I just completed artwork for a book, i received the advanced copies of the new "Ramillies 1706" book, i would attempt a blog. When you get the new copies of the book its for me a mix of anxiety and excitement, will your ideas work as an illustration as a piece of visual art and to compliment the narrative of the book. Anyway heres a quick picture of the new book.
This book was different in a number of ways from those i have previously worked. Firstly i know the author (for his sorrows) personally, its a period i have a particular interest, there is an Irish connection on both sides, i've been to the battlefield twice and we decided to take a field trip to walk the site to gather our own references. So it was nice to be working on a familiar period with someone i know fairly well.
As some may know, I used to be involved in re-enactment and participated in some of the commemorations of the WSS (Ramillies, Oudenaarde & Almansa). Unfortunately at that time I didn't get a chance to walk the Battlefield due to time constraints and as most re-enactments take place in a relatively small area you rarely get a chance to wander off piste. So it was a pleasant experience to have time to explore this fascinating battlefield in a more relaxed manner.
One of the limitation of exploring the battlefields in the Ramillies/Offus area, is that the land is working arable farmland, this restricts the battlefield tourist to the many paths and roads which intertwine and criss-cross the area. So be aware that one cant just go trudging through these fields "willienillie".
The Project
When this project got a green light, Mike and i decided it might be worth taking a trip to the site. We had many questions and to explore it ourselves. I knew from my previous visits, this battlefield was most definitely not flat contrary to the perception of the region. This visit also allowed us to compare previous works with the area by pinpointing the landmarks, compare these with the accounts and gather our own references.
So in October 2013 i took a flight to Cologne for a few days, we hired a car (Europcar) and followed the Allies route (as best as we could), via Bonn into the Brabant, Belgium. Our plan was to hit certain pertinent places, based on the accounts, to get a sense of the route and take any useful reference photos along the way. So armed with a basic plan, GPS, a camera, contemporary accounts, maps and a fine picnic prepared by Petra (Mike's better half) we mounted in our fine metallic steed and sallied forth to the lowlands....
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| Autobahnistan, dont miss the turn off!!! Copyright 2014 Sean Ó'Brógáin |
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| who needs GPS? Copyright 2014 Sean Ó'Brógáin |
It took us about 3-4 hours to get to Autre-Eglise, allowing for stops in various places, reference pics and the obligatory coffee breaks. We swung by Landen where the Irish hero Patrick Sarsfield met his Waterloo (pardon the mixed historical metaphor) "oh, if this were for Ireland". Where we wanted to see if we could locate the field of battle 1693, which we did on the outskirts of Neerwinden (see map D3 E3).
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| Tourist information map outside Landen Church. Copyright 2014 Sean Ó'Brógáin |
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| heraldic arms of Landen Copyright 2014 Sean Ó'Brógáin |
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| co-ordinates of the battlefield of Neerwinden Copyright 2014 Sean Ó'Brógáin |
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| the battlefield, with Neerwinden in the background. Copyright 2014 Sean Ó'Brógáin |
Following Landen/Neerwinden we then headed for the Ramillies/Offus area, coming in from the Jauche & Orp Jauche. Once we got to the area, we drove as far as Ramillies church, parked up and did a quick check to get our bearings and make a plan of action. We decided to drive to Bonneffe, once there we would turn around and drive back towards Fronquenee, Tavier, Ottomond, Ramillies, Offus, Autre-Eglise, Foix les Caves and back to Ramillies Church. This way we did a 360 of the battlefield area, we could get our bearings, have an idea of the potential sites/views and correlate this with our information.
Autre Eglise
Once we did the initial drive by, we headed to our base (thanks to Pascale Bertrand and Luc van Laethem who arranged this for us) at the lovely "Au temps des Cerises" one of the most hospitable and comfortable places i've stayed in a long time. This gave us a local base from which to work, it was within easy walking and driving distance of the important sites of the battlefield.
The first evening Mike and i did a recce around Autre-Eglise ridge on foot, familiarised ourselves with the lay of the land and see a number of sites of interest, especially watercourses (the Petit Gheete and Fagneton & Frambais). One of the things we knew we would have difficulty conveying to the reader is just how undulating the terrain actually is, criss-crossed with roads and farm paths. When looking at the maps the contours do not really convey the deceptive nature of the ground.
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Copyright 2014 Sean Ó'Brógáin |
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| a wonderful place to stay Copyright 2014 Sean Ó'Brógáin |
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| back from our excursions Copyright 2014 Sean Ó'Brógáin |
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| the comforts of home Copyright 2014 Sean Ó'Brógáin |
The battle took place over a relatively large area, from the present N624, ranging north west up onto the Mont St. André ridge, taking in all the surrounding the villages. The battle is named after one of these villages (obviously), but it wasnt the only one fought over. But it saw some of the most intense fighting between foot regiments of Irish, Scots, English, French, Dutch and even an Italian soldier of Fortune.
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| Ramillies Church, scene of the most intense fighting Copyright 2014 Sean Ó'Brógáin |
This combat centred around the village Church (held by Regt. Picardie), the Irish Regiment Clare (note: this regiment was not a dragoon regiment), were they lost their colour and recovered it and went on to take 2 Allied colours (a Scots and Churchill's). These were housed in Ypres with the Irish Nuns following the battle, this fight is the basis for Plate 2.
The contemporary Artist Louis Laguerre painted a series of victories for the Churchill's including Ramillies (below), it shows the church and village in the background, he portrays the church accurately with the battle raging around it. Unfortunately i was unable to access a large version of this so couldn't base my artwork on this view, as its the reverse view looking i used. This view looking south from high ground between Offus and Ramillies.
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| Marlborough at Ramillies, by Louis Laguerre 1706 |
The Churchyard looks very insignificant today, but judging from the maps and the fact it was held by a large body of men it must have been considerably larger in 1706. One can see a trace of this larger churchyard (i would suggest) on the street layout. A cemetery is also indicated on 1777 map surrounded by a walled churchyard (similar to the other churches in the area) and a number of other structures in the vicinity.
The modern cemetery is now on the outskirts of the village and the public information tells us that cemeteries are being moved to other locations. Thus having investigated the area, along with the references we were able to build a better picture of the battle and the arc of the combat through the area.
Does this make any Cense?
One significant type of building/structure that played a major part in the battle in all the villages were the Cense (enclosed/fortified farmsteads) which reminded me of "Château d'Hougoumont" at Waterloo (also Walloon Brabant). These along with the Churchyards, barricading and trench works, turning the villages into strongpoints or islands in a green sea of farmland.
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| the building across from the church with a small memorial to Belgium war dead WWI. Copyright 2014 Sean Ó'Brógáin |
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| Copyright 2014 Sean Ó'Brógáin |
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| le haute Cense, fortified during the battle, this leads to the Church and centre of the village. Copyright 2014 Sean Ó'Brógáin |
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| a large Tourist information map showing the various site related to the battle. Copyright 2014 Sean Ó'Brógáin |
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| aerial photo of Autre-Eglise (lower left foreground with large yellowish rectangular field) and Offus at 11 o'clock |
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| Autre Eglise the rectangular field is on the summit of the ridge, the church and buildings on the same level are on a a slightly lower level, but overlook the Petit Geet & open ground which Orkney was crossing before he was diverted to Ramillies. (unknown copyright, please let me know who owns this and one above) |
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| OS map of the area showing the general contours. Ramillies Village is not marked on here, but is between La Commune and Trou aux Renards (the church is marked). |
Offus
This is the smaller of the 3 villages and again has a Cense (Ferme Serry) at one end of the village (overlooking the Rue de Fodia), with a number of enclosed dwellings along the main street. On the outskirts of Offus there is a medieval looking tower and a Cense (Grande Cense) situated between 2 roads (Rue de Fagneton going to Autre-Eglise & Chaussee Oliver Dehasse heading back down to Ramillies village). These would have all been occupied and fortified in some way.
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| Grande Cense, Offus Copyright 2014 Sean Ó'Brógáin |
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| Offus church Copyright 2014 Sean Ó'Brógáin |
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| Offus village looking northwest along the main street, from the Ferme Serry, Offus. Copyright 2014 Sean Ó'Brógáin |
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| Offus Village, looking south east along the main street towards Ferme Serry, in distance. Copyright 2014 Sean Ó'Brógáin |
The 3 villages form an elongated curve, Ramillies at the bottom rising towards Offus in the middle curving around to Autre Eglise.
Autre-Eglise
I shall say little more about the battle, as Mike has covered it all in his book. But if you go to Ramillies/Offus, make sure you visit all the villages. When you get to Autre you will see the village is on 2 levels on top of the ridge and on the face of the ridge over looking the arable land between it and Foix les Caves.
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| Autre-Eglise, the local pigeon club & watering hole, someone feels left out? Copyright 2014 Sean Ó'Brógáin |
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| the memorials to the battle Copyright 2014 Sean Ó'Brógáin |
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| Autre-Eglise, WWI artillery piece, outside the church and PO Copyright 2014 Sean Ó'Brógáin |
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| tourist info Copyright 2014 Sean Ó'Brógáin |
The Photo below show the road turning to the right heading down hill towards Foix Les Caives.
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| Autre-Eglise PO & Church Copyright 2014 Sean Ó'Brógáin |
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| the road begins rising as we near Autre-Eglise, some houses visible through the trees. Copyright 2014 Sean Ó'Brógáin |
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| ...the road looking towards Autre-Eglise from Foix les Caves, Copyright 2014 Sean Ó'Brógáin |
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| view of
Ramillies (distance) from the road between Foix des Caves to Autre
Eglise. this is the ground trod by Orkney and his troops heading for
Autre-Eglise (travelling left to right). Copyright 2014 Sean Ó'Brógáin |
One only appreciates how deceptive the ground is when you are there, but it is anything but flat, with dead ground, sunken roads, paths, humps and hollows and streams. The Streams may seem a mere triffle to us today as they are much reduced, but if one attempted to cross them in full 18th kit, armed it would be clear just how these "minor" features would hinder ones progress, effectiveness and slow the advance of troops particularly under fire.
Vissoule/Tombe H'ottomonde
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| this is the modern bicycle path which intersects the Roman road here and the area reputed to be where the French dragoons were massacred by the allies. Copyright 2014 Sean Ó'Brógáin |
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| tourist info on the Roman road and the Ottomonde tumulus near by... Copyright 2014 Sean Ó'Brógáin |
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| le Tombe de H'ottomonde Copyright 2014 Sean Ó'Brógáin |
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| tourist info on the area and the battle. Copyright 2014 Sean Ó'Brógáin |
Some drafts & references...
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| alternate version of the plate 1. the Dutch advancing on the Swiss, near the visoulle. Copyright 2014 Sean Ó'Brógáin |
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| Oireash's Tomas |
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| Oireash's Tomas |
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| Oireash's Tomas |
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| Oireash's Tomas |
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| Oireash's Tomas |
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| Oireash's David |
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| Oireash's David |
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| Scots colour Colyear (ref. Robert Hall) |
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| The Scots sending in an attack on the Churchyard of Ramillies, Copyright 2014 Sean Ó'Brógáin |
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| Reg. du Roi trying to halt the advance of the Inniskillings & Scots Greys, Copyright 2014 Sean Ó'Brógáin |
Mike provided quite a few potential scenes (all great) with refs which he quickly narrowed down to 4 (the extra was an alternative to to one of the idea's). The whittling down to pertinent points was difficult but Mike went for important scenes from the beginning, middle and end of the combat. We also felt it right to give equal space (visually) to the various nationalities who fought at the battle it would have been easy to show the Irish brigade clearing the Scots or British Guard Regiments defeating their foes etc. but we felt it more fitting given the lives lost, that we shed the limelight on others such as the Scots, Dutch, French, Swiss, Irish Cavalry in British Service etc.This was more of a recognition of these men more than anything else, by simply shifting the view.
Another difficult element was reconstructing Ramillies Church and environs! this was difficult as although we had a 1770s map, this showed a larger Churchyard with graves etc. It also showed other buildings? Now one of the difficulties was discerning if these where contemporary with the map or if these existed during the battle.
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| detail of an officer of Reg. Du Roi, Copyright 2014 Sean Ó'Brógáin |
The two contemporary sources i used was the Blenheim tapestries for general military minutia but also Jean Antoine Watteaux for the French. But i also looked at Laguerre, Parrocel, Wright's artwork. I wanted to explore Lagueerre's work in more detail but alas i didnt have time and i couldnt get permission to view the Marlborough House artwork before the drafts and designs where to be submitted. But hopefully i will get a chance to see them in the near future. The staff at Blenheim Palace gave me permission to view their objects which was of tremendous help indeed so that was great.
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| compositional drawing of the Dutch advance on Greder Reg. Copyright 2014 Sean Ó'Brógáin |
Once the compositions were created or worked out and then worked up, we had to get into the nitty-gritty of buttons, lace, pocket flaps, styles of Whig, styles of hat, cravats,vents in justacorps, cuffs etc. this was done with the help of Gabriele Mendella a master tailor from Milan and Robert Hall who's spent many decades trawling the archive of Europe for the information that was so important to this book, so i am indebted to these fine gentlemen for keeping me right.
Acknowledgements
So thanks to all who assisted us, hopefully no one was left out in the acknowledgements. Theres a few familiar faces in there, such as Eric (our Dutch partner in crime and commanding the troops), Lemmy (in the middle of everything as usual), Ralph (my friend of old who helped me so much at the beginning of my art journey, hope you'll be happy as a grenadier officer?), Didier (reference shots & advice), Tomas (uniforms & weapons), David (i'm minion in Plate 1), Gabriele (who's advice on the uniform construction and style was invaluable & commands the Reg. Du Roi with no equal).
Also to the backroom staff: Petra (for the food & hospitality), Blenheim Palace (for permission to view there wonderful collection), Robert Hall (whos encyclopedic knowledge of uniformology and vexilogy was invaluable), Iain Stanford (who kept us right), Andy (a great sounding board for Mike), Marcus (sorry for the stress), each one's contribution made the book possible....
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| copyright Blenheim Place |
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| a couple of Clare's, Ramillies 2007 (me on the left) who is the originator of this image? |
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| David "minion" Brogan, Copyright 2014 Sean Ó'Brógáin |
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Note:
If you wish to see an extensive collection of photographs from the commemoration 2006-2007, please check out Phil Tommason photography:
http://thomason-photography.net/Waterloo/Plancenoit2011/Welcome.html
http://warsoflouisxiv.blogspot.ie/
www.ospreypublishing.com
www.blenheimpalace.com
I shall also attempt to list of groups doing this period & contributed to the commemoration in of the Spanish War of Succession 1701-1714: Any info will be appreciated!
Blenheim 2005
Lord Orkney's (English Group)
Dutch Guards (Dutch Group)
Garde Francais (Italian Group)
Ramillies 2006/7
Lord Orkney's (English Group)
HCF (Irish Group)
Dutch Guards (Dutch Group)
Garde Francais (Italian Group)
Oudenaarde 2008
Lord Orkney's (English Group)
HCF (Irish Group)
North Irish Dragoons (N. Ireland)
Dutch Guards (Dutch Group)
Garde Francais (Italian Group)
Almansa 2009
Lord Orkney's (English Group)
HCF (Irish Group)
North Irish Dragoons (N. Ireland)
Dutch Guards (Dutch Group)
Garde Francais (Italian Group)
Almansa 2009
Lord Orkney's (English Group)
Oireas (Irish Group)
North Irish Dragoons (N. Ireland)
Dutch Guards (Dutch Group)
Garde Francais (Italian Group)
Malplaquet 2010
North Irish Dragoons (N. Ireland)
Oireas (Irish Group)
Montlouis
HCF (Irish Group)
Hi Sean the finished work look dammned fine! Mikey and I had long discussions about who did what to whom how and where!
ReplyDeleteGreat post!! looking forward to reading the book!!
ReplyDelete