Two maps on one sheet. Hand-colored map of Ghent (approx. 8.5 x 11 in.), tipped onto reverse side of page with map of the Siege of La Rochelle (approx. 8.25 x 11 in. plate size). Both maps printed with German captions, the La Rochelle map also captioned in French. The latter map shows the walled city of La Rochelle, and across the river are the French Catholic troops. Count Montgomery and his small navy approach from the West. These events occurred in A.D. 1573, March 16 "in the night 12th watch."

Calvinism took hold in La Rochelle early in its history. The popularity of the new beliefs prompted suppression by Henry II, who also burned two "heretics" at the stake in 1552 in La Rochelle. By the 1560s, the town became a center for the Huguenots. The French navy blockaded it in 1571, and the siege began the following year. The citizens of the town appealed to England for aid, but Queen Elizabeth I was bound by the Treaty of Blois and could not respond in force. She did send Gabriel, Count Montgomery with seven ships, but the larger force was turned back. The siege finally ended in 1573 with the Peace of La Rochelle, which restricted Protestant worship to three cities, La Rochelle, Montauban, and Nimes. Henry, Duke of Anjou, had just learned he had been elected King of Poland, which had a large minority Protestant population.

Ghent grew at the confluence of the Scheldt and Leie rivers (and certainly occupation of the region predates the town) in Flanders. It is also a region of marshland, with abundant grasses upon which to raise sheep. As a result, Ghent became a leading city in the Middle Ages for cloth production. The region could not produce enough wool to keep up with weaving, so it imported wool from Scotland and England.

The view of Ghent shows the military encampment of Mansfelt and Mondragon across the river from the walled and moated town, with the Duke of Parma's camp across the smaller river. Mansfelt and Mondragon served in the 80 Years' War or Dutch War of Independence (1568-1648). Eventually the Dutch (Seventeen Provinces) would win their sovereignty and be recognized as an independent country.

Some staining and handling wear, mostly on the margins. Pencil note on Ghent side margin. Scattered foxing. La Rochelle includes .75 in. wide strip tipped on above the map captioned in French