Two decades ago, the municipality of Sobral de Monte Agraço acquired 'Maps & Plans of the principal movements, battles & sieges, in which the British army was engaged during the war from 1808 to 1814,' as it was considered a reference for studying the main movements and battles of the British troops during the Napoleonic wars.
Produced in London by the Queen's geographer, James Wyld, the work includes hand-coloured lithographed maps and plans illustrating the main movements and positions, battles, and sieges in which the British army was involved during the Peninsular War.
In addition to the 38 maps and plans, it also includes some geographical features, text and inserts; three maps with coloured overlays; seven maps with vignette views; and a lithographed plate with five views.
Today, this book is part of the collection of the Interpretation Centre of the Lines of Torres Vedras in Sobral de Monte Agraço. Some of its lithographs have been reproduced throughout the permanent exhibition. The original is on display in a showcase in the same exhibition and can be 'flicked through' using the digital kiosk next to it.
The book has been digitised in its entirety so that it can be accessed by anyone interested in knowing more about it, as part of the 'Digitisation of local sources on the Peninsular War (1807-1814)' project. This project made it possible to publicise a collection of local sources on the Lines of Torres Vedras by making available documents that were housed in the archives of the municipalities of Arruda dos Vinhos, Mafra, Sobral de Monte Agraço, Torres Vedras and Vila Franca de Xira.
The project was supported by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and the digitisation, curated by Irina Lopes, was carried out at the Torre do Tombo National Archive.
To access these and other documents relating to the French Invasions in Portugal online, visit this link.
