Figurative map of Hechtel-Eksel. Late 17th c Drawing,... Lot 542

Figurative map of Hechtel-Eksel. Late 17th c Drawing, pen and brown ink, 42 x 41,5 cm, laid paper with watermark (unidentified, Heawood 1679?), unsigned (sm. holes, foldings toned and worn, frayed edges, repaired). Eastern oriented map figuring the border between Brabant and Liège with the churches of Eksel, Pelt, Hechtelt, Lommel, the heath and estates of the abbey of Averbode, Paardshaagdorenberg, Roosendijk and the "Vriesput". Because of the vague boundary demarcation between Lommel (which belonged to Flemish Brabant) and the neighbouring Pelt (which belonged to Liège), there had been border disputes for centuries about where the local cattle could graze and drink. Boundary posts were erected and in 1648 the wells with fresh water were divided into the "Groot vriesputte" and the "Clijn vriesputte", which are all represented on the map. Finally, in 1680, a new agreement allowed Lommel to cut peat in the "Kleine Vriesput" and Pelt in the "Grote Vriesput". Cattle were allowed to graze in the whole area.