Old CAERNARFON map John Speed 1611 Caernarfon Snowdon Gwynedd Bangor

This classic piece was produced by John Speed the best known mapmaker of the Stuart period. It is a wonderful example of a decorative county map that was produced over 400 years since. This is an antique reproduction of the original hand coloured map and therefore each original map is in itself unique.

'The heart of this shire', wrote Speed, 'is altogether mountainous, as if Nature had a purpose here, by rearing up these craggy hills so thick together, strongly to compact the joints of this our island, and to frame the inland part thereof for a fit place of refuge to the Britons against adversity ... These mountains may not unfitly be termed the British Alps, as being the most vast in Britain, and for these steepness and cragginess not unlike to those of Italy, all of them towering into the air, and round encompassing one far higher than all the rest ... called Snowdon (The Counties of Britain: A Tudor Atlas)

This is a highly sought after work and is sure to form an interesting conversation piece to any living room. This piece looks stunning mounted.

Features:
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• A detailed geography of the hills, rivers and forests of Caernarfon from the early 17th century
• A wonderful inset map of Caernarfon with accompanying index
• A wonderful inset map of Bangor
• A contemporary ships, sea creatures and a fine fellow riding a sea serpent
• All offset with a beautiful stylistic border