John Norden’s map of Essex – 1594

Description

Printed reproduction of the manuscript map found inside “The Description of Essex” by John Norden.

The original map exists as part of the Mildmay family archives held at the Essex Record Office.

The map  differs in many small details, especially roads, from the manuscript map at Hatfield House and the two manuscript maps in the British Library.

Shows the boundaries of the hundreds, hills, rivers, towns and villages, a few hamlets, many of the larger houses, several castles, water mills and bridges (including Hull Bridge), some roads (including the estuary causeways from Great Wakering to Foulness and from Manningtree to Wrabness), parks, forests, shoals and banks, and Walton Tower.

The hundreds are distinguished by letters and the liberties by numbers; the key to these is given in the text.

The map has no table of symbols which are numerous but self-explanatory. The borders are divided by a 2-mile scale, with reference letters along the sides, and figures at the top and bottom.

The map shows a judicious use of colour and gold.

12″ x 17″