Estate Map of Smallburgh, Norfolk
This is a map of the parish of Smallburgh in Norfolk. It dates from 1582 and is the work of John Darby, who was active as a map maker between 1582 and 1594. It is significant as it is one of the first English local maps to be drawn to a consistent scale. It is in unusually good condition which is probably due to it never having been displayed because of its unfinished status, there is no title, several field name panels are left blank and some decoration is only in pencil. In addition to these omissions there is no numerical or alphabetical key to the terrier, the written register of plots, that with the information it contained of acreage’s, tenants and leases, would have been indispensable for the practical management of the estate. The map was made for Edward Park, 10th Lord of Morley, who had only regained his lands in 1578, some four years prior to the creation of this map. The lands had been confiscated from his father the 9th Baron Morley, a Catholic accused of treason in 1572. It is likely that the map was intended as a celebration of Lord Morely’s regained possession of the lands and that it would have been, if finished, displayed as a proclamation of his wealth and triumph in the face of adversity. The decorative qualities of the map can thus be explained. It includes an unusual wealth of animals, people and country pursuits. It is not unusual for scenes of this nature to be included as a tradition for including images of seasonal rural activities exists in maps and manuscripts, such as the Luttrell Psalter. What is unusual however is that rather than depicting seasonal activities, this map depicts scenes that are specific to the fenland area that is mapped. The figure of the traveller with a monkey on his shoulder could be an allusion to Lord Morley’s father who, having been evicted from his lands, spent the remainder of his life wandering the Continent, being recorded in Valenciennes, Brussels and Bruges in 1570. These decorative details show how maps could be highly personal articles with hidden meanings as well as practical tools for land administration. This map was annotated in 1762 to record minor changes in the shape of the plots of land and the course of the stream that runs through the parish, showing that it was used as a functional record, even almost 200 years after its creation
Darby, John
NORFOLCIAE comitatus Sheet 17
This map of Norfolk is from the 1583 edition of the Saxton atlas of England and Wales.This atlas was first published as a whole in 1579. It consists of 35 coloured maps depicting the counties of England and Wales. The atlas is of great significance to British cartography as it set a standard of cartographic representation in Britain and the maps remained the basis for English county mapping, with few exceptions, until after 1750. During the reign of Elizabeth I map use became more common, with many government matters referring to increasingly accurate maps with consistent scales and symbols, made possible by advances in surveying techniques. Illustrating the increasing used of maps in government matters, Lord Burghley, Elizabeth I’s Secretary of State, who had been determined to have England and Wales mapped in detail from the 1550s, selected the cartographer Christopher Saxton to produce a detailed and consistent survey of the country. The financier of the project was Thomas Seckford Master of Requests at the Court of Elizabeth I, whose arms appear, along with the royal crest, on each map.
Saxton, Christopher
Ryther, Augustine
NORFOLCIAE comitatus f.40
This is a map of Norfolk. It forms part of an atlas that belonged to William Cecil Lord Burghley, Elizabeth I’s Secretary of State. Burghley used this atlas to illustrate domestic matters. This map is actually a proof copy of one which forms part of Christopher Saxton’s Atlas of England and Wales. This atlas was first published as a whole in 1579. It consists of 35 coloured maps depicting the counties of England and Wales. The atlas is of great significance to British cartography as it set a standard of cartographic representation in Britain and the maps remained the basis for English county mapping, with few exceptions, until after 1750. During the reign of Elizabeth I, map use became more common, with many government matters referring to increasingly accurate maps with consistent scales and symbols, made possible by advances in surveying techniques. Illustrating the increasing use of maps in government matters, Lord Burghley, Elizabeth I’s Secretary of State, who had been determined to have England and Wales mapped in detail from the 1550s, selected the cartographer Christopher Saxton to produce a detailed and consistent survey of the country. The financier of the project was Thomas Seckford Master of Requests at the Court of Elizabeth I, whose arms appear, along with the royal crest, on each map. This map is different from others in the series as it shows the county divided into administrative units called hundreds’ These are indicated by an alphabetical key, differentiated by colour and referenced to a index. Lord Burghley has added several place names. The map was engraved by Cornelius Hogius, one of a team of seven English and Flemish engravers employed to produce the copper plates for the atlas.
Saxton, Christopher
Hogius, Cornelius
Norfolciae Descriptio. The Description of Norfolk. [Karte], in: Gerardi Mercatoris et I. Hondii Newer Atlas, oder, Grosses Weltbuch, Bd. 1, S. 90.
1 Karte aus Atlas
Mercator, Gerhard und Hondius, Jodocus
Jansson, Jan
Nortfolcia; Norfolke. [Karte], in: Le théâtre du monde, ou, Nouvel atlas contenant les chartes et descriptions de tous les païs de la terre, Bd. 4, S. 260.
1 Karte aus Atlas
Blaeu, Willem Janszoon und Blaeu, Joan
Blaeu, Willem Janszoon
Nortfolcia; Norfolke. [Karte], in: Theatrum orbis terrarum, sive, Atlas novus, Bd. 4, S. 296.
1 Karte aus Atlas
Blaeu, Joan
Blaeu, Willem Janszoon
Nortfolcia; Norfolke. [Karte], in: Theatrum orbis terrarum, sive, Atlas novus, Bd. 4, S. 296.
1 Karte aus Atlas
Blaeu, Joan
Blaeu, Willem Janszoon