John Speed: The Countye of Monmouth
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Cartographer:
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John Speed
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Title:
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The Countye of Monmouth
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Date:
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1614
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Published:
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London
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Width:
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21 inches / 54 cm
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Height:
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15 inches / 39 cm
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Map ref:
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WCTS1361
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Description:
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Monmouth. A fine map of the county from the second edition of Speed's seminal atlas, 'The Theatre of Great Britaine'.
As Monmouthshire is one of the Welsh counties closest to England, it is most likely to have been one of the first that Speed visited physically. It is also a county that identified far more with England than Wales as its driving economic force is its southern coastline to the Severn Estuary.
Simultaneously, its most famous son became one of England’s greatest medieval kings, Henry V, victor at the Battle of Agincourt. He was also known as Harry of Monmouth, his birthplace. Henry has been revered as one of England’s greatest kings throughout history and Speed, with his fascination for the subject, could not have resisted the urge to visit his birthplace very early on his survey; and adding his portrait to the map, present below the plan on the upper left.
This geographical survey of the county, as was so often the case, is mainly based on Saxton. The inset on the upper left illustrates the settlement of Monmouth as the urban centre of the county, as opposed to Abergavenny, which was actually larger in terms of population. The survey of the town is most likely by Speed himself and preferred due to the connection with King Henry as mentioned above. As mentioned above, this is supported by the portrait of the King. The rest of the map is balanced by medallions showing the Prince of Wales Feathers and the British coat of arms on the lower right and left with the cartouche taking the form of a medallion on the upper right. The Severn Estuary, bears a ship and also shows Denny Island. Historically this was the southern border between England and Wales as well as the maritime border of the City of Bristol.
English text on verso. [Image available upon request][WCTS1361] |