Shropshire – an old map by John Speed

Historical Background

John Speed’s old map of Shropshire combines a richly populated county landscape with a detailed plan of Shrewsbury and a miniature scene of the Battle of Shrewsbury. The River Severn, wooded parks and named hundreds provide a framework for finding towns and villages across the historic county.

Map Details

• Original title: Shropshyre described, the sittuation of Shrowesbury shewed
• Mapmaker: John Speed
• Dates: c. 1610; the county map first appeared in Speed’s atlas in 1611
• Publisher and edition: The image bears the Thomas Bassett and Richard Chiswell imprint, London, associated with their 1676 edition.
• Source atlas: The Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine
• Area shown: Historic Shropshire, with a detailed county-town plan

Shrewsbury inside the river loop

The inset at the upper right shows Shrewsbury within the broad bend of the Severn, with its bridges connecting the town to the surrounding countryside. Streets and buildings are drawn individually, and a long lettered key identifies local features. The town plan is given its own scale in paces, distinct from the county’s scale of miles.

Hills, parks and the Welsh border

The Wrekin stands out in the county landscape, while clusters of hill symbols give the southern uplands their shape. Named forests and enclosed parks appear alongside settlements including Ludlow, Oswestry and Bridgnorth. The map also records detached portions of neighbouring counties: historic boundaries can be surprisingly different from the tidy outlines we now expect.

A battle alongside the geography

At the lower right, a small battle scene and inscription commemorate the Battle of Shrewsbury in 1403. The heraldic panels at the left include Roger Montgomery and John Talbot, adding another layer of county history. Speed’s design presents places, people and events together, making the map rewarding to inspect as well as display.

A fine art print supplied unframed, with the original map’s warm tones and engraved detail preserved.

John Speed’s account of Shropshire

(1) Shropshire, which was called “Sclypyrice” by the ancient Saxons, is large in size, well-populated, and very fertile. It is located to the north with the County Palatine of Chester, to the east with Staffordshire, and to the south with Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Radnorshire, and Denbighshire. It stretches to the west with Montgomery and Denbighshire.

(2) The shape of the county is nearly circular or round, with its total length from Wroxeter to Ludlow in the south and reaching over to the River Trent in the north, about thirty-four miles. The broadest part is from Long in the east to Oswestry in the west, about twenty-five miles. The account gives the county’s circumference as one hundred and four miles.

(3) The land is rich, fertile, and good for farming, with springs and autumn harvests. The soil is suitable for agriculture, providing sustenance for the local population in all seasons.

(4) The soil is also well-suited for grazing livestock such as cattle, which thrive on it. The county has rivers, including the Severn, which provide abundant water for agriculture. The county is covered in forests, with many areas still in their natural state.

(5) The Severn flows through the county. In ancient times, the river began to dry up, and the Welsh people extended their settlements and opened up the land for farming.

(6) When the Romans arrived, they expanded their control over the area. The Cornovii were the main tribe in this region, and they reached out to other parts of Britain. Afterward, the Saxons began to settle in the land, and the Kingdom of Mercia was formed.

(7) The account discusses the influence of King Henry I in the region. He promoted the city of Shrewsbury, which grew in prominence during his reign, and was a center of trade, industry, and wealth. King Henry VIII later established councils in the area to govern it more effectively.

(8) The capital of the region, Shrewsbury, is the most important town, which is known for its wealth and prosperity. The town was also a strategic location with its proximity to Wales. The town is governed by two bailiffs, a recorder, a town clerk, and other officials.

(9) Several ancient towns have been in the area since Roman times, including Wroxeter, the site of Roman Viroconium, where the remains of Roman settlements can still be found.

(10) Shropshire is divided into named hundreds, with market towns and many rural villages. The county has several industries, including agriculture, trade, and metalwork, particularly iron and copper.