MILITARY HISTORY – CHARLES III (1716-1788), King of Spain. Manuscript schema of the armed forces of Charles III, Madrid, 1768.
Lot 238

MILITARY HISTORY – CHARLES III (1716-1788), King of Spain. Manuscript schema of the armed forces of Charles III, Madrid, 1768.

Closed11 December 2019

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GBP 8,125

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MILITARY HISTORY – CHARLES III (1716-1788), King of Spain. Manuscript schema of the armed forces of Charles III, Madrid, 1768.

One sheet, 655 x 980mm, ink and watercolour on paper, laid onto canvas (some splits and cracks). Integral wooden roller and case (c.1130 x 55mm closed).

A splendid manuscript depiction of the armed forces of Charles III of Spain in full pomp and splendour. Entitled 'Real plan del exercito de S. M. Co. Carlos Tercero en l'año de M.DCC.LXVIII', the regiments represented by 64 figures of infantrymen and 26 mounted cavalrymen in full attire, their coats, breeches, etc., appropriately coloured, in each case recording the name of the regiment and the number of battalions and of men, the navy represented by two men of war in full sail, a table at the foot recording the navy divided into 'navios', 'paquebotes', 'fragatas', 'bombardas', 'galeotas', 'brulotes' and 'xavecques', framing a 'resumen general' of the armed forces, in a border of lances, spears, canon, mortars, shot, etc.

Under the wise leadership of Charles III of Spain, an enlighted, reforming ruler who avoided wasteful wars, the Spanish army enjoyed a glorious few decades. By 1768, any damage wrought by Spain's participation in the Seven Years' War had been repaired; the present manuscript schema represents a well-ordered army and navy.