Devon – an old map by John Speed
Price range: £35.55 through £59.95
Devon – a beautifully detailed edition
Devon, a farming county of hills, woods and combes, sitting between the Bristol Channel to the north and the British Sea to the south. Devonian Humphrey Gibert, born in Greenaway, founded Newfoundland. His half brother, Sir Walter Raleigh, continued his work of settlement in America and Ireland. The map has an interesting mistake in its engraving history – the Mount Edgecombe and Stonehose area on the Tamar estuary is shown to be in Cornwall – but corrected on the map of Cornwall where it has moved back into Devon. A fascinating old town plan of Exeter is featured within the map.- Stunning giclée fine art print on authentically aged heavy textured paper
- 12 Colour printing technology • Guaranteed to pass or exceed museum quality standards
- Bespoke framing service • Free UK Courier Delivery with tracking
- Available in two sizes: Large: 24″ x 31″ (61 x 78.7cms) Medium: 18″ x 24″ (45.5 x 61cms)
A stunning certified FINE ART PRINT on heavy textured art paper — not a poster
- Direct from the publisher — no middlemen
- Printed in-house in Cornwall
- Free UK delivery — international shipping available
- Produced to meet — and often exceed — museum-quality standards
Fine Art Map Reproductions – Museum-Quality Printing
Unlike most online offerings, our maps are produced entirely in-house, not outsourced to print-on-demand or drop-shipping services. This allows complete control over quality while offering better value. Each map begins with a high-resolution original, carefully enhanced and printed to order using archival papers and pigment inks for exceptional clarity, depth, and longevity. Every piece is personally overseen — no map leaves our workshop unless it is of a quality we would be proud to display ourselves.
Authentic Old Map Paper & Accurate Colour Reproduction
Paper choice is essential to the authenticity of our maps. We use specially sourced 190gsm paper made in the UK from pure materials and traditionally pressed with natural woollen felts. This process creates a subtle, randomly textured surface that closely resembles an original antique document. Likewise the use of premium quality ink fully saturates the paper, producing remarkable clarity, depth, and historical character. Colour fastness and sharpness will remain good for in excess of 100 years!
Buy Old Maps Online in the UK Today Trading online since 1999
The Old Map Company of Great Britain offers a vast and carefully curated collection of the very finest expertly reproduced vintage maps. Our range includes works by renowned cartographers such as John Speed and Willem Blaeu, covering Scotland, England, and beyond. Free UK courier delivery is included, with EU, USA, and worldwide shipping available at cost and calculated at checkout. If you need assistance, our team is always happy to help you choose the perfect map.
RECENT REVIEWS
A Town Plan of Exeter features within the map.
John Speede added notes to the verso of his Old Map of Devon . . . here is a modern translation . . . the original appears below.
The Names of Devonshire
Devonshire, in Latin by the Cornish-Britains called Dewnania, by the English Saxon Deven-scyre, and by contraction of the vulgar Deyvne, is not derived from the river Dawes, as some would have it, but from the people Dannmonii. The same people we mentioned in Cornwall, and whom Ptolemy placed in the western borders.
The Bounds of Devonshire
The west of this county is bordered by Cornwall and washed by the River Tamar. The east borders Somerset and Dorset. The north and south sides are almost entirely on the Bristol Channel and Severn Sea. From Countesham in the north to Salcomb Haven in the south is about 45 miles. From Hartland Point in the west to Thornmouth East in the east is about 70 miles. So the full circuit of the county is around 200 miles.
The Length and Breadth
About 70 miles by 45 miles at its widest points.
The Air
The air is sharp, healthful, and good.
The Soil
The soil is productive and fertile, though stony in places. The land is so well-cultivated that no farmer ever sits idle, and the sea provides much wealth, especially on the north and south coasts. Fishermen journey long distances, risking life and limb for profit, and the soil yields grain and other crops well.
Ports and Harbours in Devonshire
As for harbours, this county has many, with easy access to the sea. It’s ideal for shipping and trade. Among these, Exeter is famous for being one of Brute’s first settlements (though this may be more poetic than historical). Geoffrey of Monmouth mentions it in his writings.
“The Gods did guide his sail and course; the winds were at command,
And Totnes was the happy shore where first he came to land.”
The Danes’ First Entrance, A.D. 787
With more credible and lamentable sources, the Danes first invaded in 787 A.D., when Brightkirk, a Saxon king’s steward, tried to question their intentions. The Danes killed him and returned to their ships, eager for further ventures.
Sir Francis Drake’s Voyage
Much later, Plymouth achieved great fame as the departure point for explorers and defenders of England. From here, Sir Francis Drake began his famous voyage in 1577, sailing around the globe in just over two years. Sir John Hawkins and Lord Charles Howard of Effingham also set sail from here against the Spanish Navy in 1588, defending England’s shores valiantly.
The Commodities of this Shire
The county has excellent resources: wool, cloth, beef, and corn. Rich and fertile lands support plentiful livestock and agriculture. Deer, game, and fish are also abundant.
The City of Exeter
Exeter, the chief city of the county, lies by the River Exe. It is believed to have been founded by Antonius Emperour, for the Dannmonii tribe, and was later fortified by Vespasian. It stands beautifully on a hill, protected by walls with towers and gates. It once had a castle called Rougemont, from where the Earls of Cornwall ruled. Several notable churches and religious houses stand here, like St. Peter’s Cathedral and the Bishops’ See.
In 1003, the city was attacked by the Danish under Swanus, who burned much of it, but the people bravely rebuilt it. William the Conqueror laid siege to it again in 1067 when the citizens refused to open the gates, but he spared them after they submitted. The city flourished afterward and was governed by a mayor and many officials.
The Cities Climate
Latitude ranges from 50° to 52°. The city’s air is healthful. It is noted for learning, especially for having nurtured St. Boniface, apostle of Germany.
Remains of Antiquity
This county contains many remnants of battles and antiquities: stone circles, ancient tombs, and Roman inscriptions. There is also a burial place of Hubba the Dane, near Tawton. Letters of the Danes remain carved in stones there.
Dukes and Earls
The title Duke of Devonshire has been granted to a few noble families, including the Holland and Courtenay families. The Courtenays were once Earls of Devon, with Philip Courtenay most notably.
Religious Houses
Many religious houses existed here, including Exeter, Tavistock, Totnes, Hartland, and Barnstaple.
Hundreds and Churches
The county is divided into thirty-three hundreds (administrative regions) and many parishes, each with their own churches.
Description on the verso of John Speede’s Old Map of Devon
You may also like…
-
Vintage Map of Devon
Price range: £35.55 through £59.95 -
Exeter Speed
Price range: £35.55 through £59.95 -
Devon – 1645
Price range: £35.55 through £59.95
