Siege of Leith

Category

Library Item

Item no

38607

Title

Siege of Leith

Artist / maker

Unknown

Engraver

Unknown

Date

1970

Size

8.9 x 14.0 cm

Type

Photograph

This map of the Siege of Leith was discovered among the muniments of Petworth House in Sussex. It shows the fortifications of the town during the siege in the spring of 1560, and the siege-works of the besieging armies. The map maker is unknown, but was presumably an officer in the English army. The work was done immediately after the peace was signed on the 7th July 1560, before the troops departed. The Siege-works are drawn to scale.
The map Corrects some long-held assumptions "Pellam's Mount"(Lady Fyfe's Brae) is shown on the site of the present East Restalrig Terrace, and Somerset's Mount(Giants Brae) on the site of the present Pilrig House. The fortifications of the town were built by Italian engineers in the French army occupying Leith and represents the earliest example of the new style of fortifications developed around 1540 after the invention of gunpowder.

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Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Coats of arms

Places > Edinburgh areas > Leith

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh