Brussels

“a large and beautiful City in the Dutchy of Brabant, Subject to the Queen of Hungary and the Seat of her chief Governor for these parts.” – Text, lower left.

This lovely plan of the Belgian capital of Brussels was engraved by James Basire and published as part of Nicholas Tindal’s “The Continuation of Mr. Rapin’s History of England ,from the Revolution to the present times” around 1747. The image, oriented with southeast at the top, presents a charming mid-18th-century overview of the strongly fortified city. Numerous gardens, orchards, and other greenspaces occupy much of the walled area.

A numbered key in the lower right lists 82 points of interest, including the major marketplaces, religious institutions, gates, and important government buildings. The decorative cartouche features cannons and other weaponry, highlighting the city’s strategic military importance, especially during the recent War of Austrian Succession. The coat of arms of the Hapsburg Dynasty/Holy Roman Empire rests atop.