Early 18th century engraving showing the Relief of Gibraltar in 1705

After the capture of Gibraltar by the British and Dutch under Admiral Rooke in 1704 (part of the War of the Spanish Succession 1701-14), the combined Spanish and French force laid siege to the fortress. This plate shows Admiral Sir John Leake's attack on the enemy's fleet in the Battle of Cabrita Point, 21st March 1705, which broke the siege. The central scene is surrounded by a rococo border with trophies and allegorical figures, with an inset map of the Rock and a German-text description. Bottom right a lion stands on a shield decorated with the fleur-de-lis. The plate was etched by 'I.I.K' after a painting by Paul Decker, and was published by Wolff in 'Repraesentatio belli, ob successionem in Regno Hispanico...', a history of the War of the Spanish Succession. The Italian text title is separately printed so the same plate could be issued in different languages.