The
Marshal Vauban WebsiteThe
Marshal Vauban WebsiteMaintained by : Chris Jones of Altofts, Wakefield, U.K. © September 1997
This page last updated : 19 September 1997
An expression coined originally by Cardinal Richelieu "Le
Pre Carre" - or "the square enclosed field"
- was the term used to describe a consolidated France, firm behind
well delineated and defended borders. It was later to be used
to describe Vauban's parallel lines of fortresses that guarded
Northern France from invasion [see footnote].
It is sometimes hard for people living in the latter part of the 20th Century to appreciate that countries such as France were once anything but the unified nation we know today. Until the strong reign of Louis XIV, and the many conquests he made, France was nothing like the Country we are familiar with today - in the same way that Germany and Italy are relatively new creations. For example, it was in Louis' reign that Roussillon and the Franche-Comte became a part of France. Before the middle part of the 17th Century they were both Spanish & Austrian Hapsburg Possesions.
Therefore, all the more reason why Vauban's career was remarkable. His influence on affairs is magnified by the fact it helped shape the history and formation of one of the world's great nations. The nation which was later to produce Napoleon, and to be a driving force in the foundation of the European Union.
During
the reign of Louis XIV, which overlapped the start and end of
Vauban's career, France was confronted by many enemies.
At various times France was at war Spain, The Empire [the Imperial armies of the Holy Roman Empire - i.e. the combined strength of Austria and the German Princes], Holland and England, to name but a few.
There was also much internal strife. Indeed, Vauban's first military service, during the rebellion known as The Fronde, saw him fighting under The Great Conde, a Prince of the Blood, against his King!
Later in Louis' reign was the rebellion of the Camisards, in [central] S. France, and a bloody insurrection in Roussillon - the northern portion of the Catalan country - led by those who wanted a return to Spanish rule.
The map above shows the main areas of military activity along
the newly emerging French frontiers under Louis XIV - and therefore
the areas most heavily fortified [and beseiged!]. These regions
encompass the location of nearly all of Vauban's fortresses as
well as marking out the areas in which most of his campaigning
was done. Further maps will be provided as and whn required.
Footnote: Vauban carefully selected the fortress towns that constituted the Pre Carre. Some he built. Others he improved. Some others still he captured, where they were required and would fit into his scheme. Existing fortresses which were surplus to requirements were razed to the ground. Vauban would not see money and resources wasted on unecessary fortresses, much less leave them to fall into enemy hands.
