This deliciously detailed monochrome and exceedingly rare map shows the ancient county of Berkshire (or 'Barkshire') as it was in 1611. It was created by John Speed and engraved by Jodocus Hondius, and originally published in Speed's "The Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine".
This map looks great at all sizes: 12x16 inches (31x41cm), 18x24 inches (45.5x61cm) and 24x36 inches (61x91.5cm), but it looks even better when printed large.
I can create beautiful, large prints of this map up to 80 inches (200cm) wide. Please get in touch if you're looking for larger, customised or different framing options.
The model in the listing images is holding the 24x18 inch (61x45.5cm) version of this map.
The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.
I also have this same
map in its handcoloured form. Depending on your room’s aesthetic/decor, you might prefer this version.
Many of the towns, villages and cities in Berkshire are already visible in this ancient map, such as Newbury and Reading. But centre stage goes to Windsor - and indeed, the entire top of the map is dominated by a lovely landscape of Windsor Castle.
The River Thames flows across the top of Berkshire, and many popular riverside towns and villages are on this map, including Henley, Eton, Windsor, Bray, Sonning, Wallingford, Dorchester, Clifton Hampden, Abingdon and Oxford.
Away from the river, some of the towns, villages and places clearly visible in this old map of Berkshire include: Slough (Upton), Bracknell (Easthampstead), Maidenhead, Newbury, Faringdon, Reading, Wokingham (then Okingham), Staines, Cookham, Basildon and East Ilsley. But of course, many of them are spelt in their Early Modern English forms.
Somewhat oddly, there are even a couple of patches of Wiltshire on this map! The borders hadn't been fully defined back then...
Take a look at the detailed images and try to spot your hometown!
This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas,
Father's Day, work leaving or housewarming gift for someone from Berkshire or someone who has Berkshire in their yeart.
This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.