John Speed: Buckingham Both Shyre, and Shire-town describ.
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Cartographer:
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John Speed
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Title:
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Buckingham Both Shyre, and Shire-town describ.
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Date:
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1676
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Published:
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London
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Width:
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20 inches / 51 cm
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Height:
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15 inches / 39 cm
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Map ref:
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BUCKS305
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Description:
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Speed’s rendition of Buckinghamshire is unusual in several ways. He does not give us his geographical source for the topography of the map, claiming the map for himself on the lower right border but it was very likely based on the survey of Christopher Saxton first published in 1574.
Two charming architectural arches frame the royal coats of arms with an early version of the union between the coats of arms of England together with those of Scotland on the left. This is a common motif on Speed’s maps, signifying James I’s kingship over both lands. The arch on the right frames the coat of arms of the prominent houses of the county.
Unusually, Speed illustrates two separate town plans on this map; Buckingham, the main town of the Shire and Redding, or modern Reading, which is actually in Berkshire, the preceding map in the atlas. Speed could not illustrate Reading on the correct map as the whole upper border was occupied by a vignette of Windsor Castle, but he obviously felt that Reading was of such importance that it deserved to be included his atlas.
Another point of interest is the location Eton with its famous college. In modern times, it is associated with Berkshire but in the early 17th century, as Speed shows, it is clearly in Buckinghamshire.
English text on verso [image available upon request]. Coloured. [BUCKS305] |