The Peninsular War 1808–1814: French and Spanish Cartography of the Guadarrama Pass and El Escorial

Abstract

Many roads which still cross the Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range to connect the two plateaus in the centre of Spain date back to Roman times. The mountain passes of Somosierra, Navacerrada, La Fuenfría and Guadarrama were consolidated between the Middle Ages and the eighteenth century as necessary stages on the routes from Bayonne (France) to Madrid and Andalusia. In particular, the passes of La Fuenfría and Guadarrama linked the San Lorenzo de El Escorial Monastery and Segovia with the Spanish capital, and were progressively improved by the Bourbon kings, as was reflected in detail in Spanish maps. As strategic passes, they played an important role during the Peninsular War, and consequently they were also mapped by English and French cartographers. Much of the cartography from before, during and after this war comprises a largely unpublished collection of very interesting maps that are held in Spanish archives. The objectives of this research were, firstly, to study and disseminate the maps of these mountain passes produced around the time of the war. Secondly, to analyse the collaboration of Spanish cartographers with their European colleagues, a process which began with Philip V in 1700 and continued throughout the eighteenth century. And, thirdly, to analyse the influence of this cartography on post-war maps.