Old CAMBRIDGE and University Map 1575 by Braun - Trinity, Kings, Queens

Published in 1575 by Georg Braun and Frans Hogenberg, this is one of the first printed maps of Cambridge - or Canterbrigia as it was known then. This map was first published in Civitates Orbis Terrarum - the Cities of the World - which was a cartographical masterpiece featuring 546 maps.

Of Cambridge Braun said the following "Up to the present day, Cambridge has 19 student houses, in addition to which 14 colleges have been built with such grandeur and magnificence that you might think they were royal palaces and not accommodation for students. In short, although I have travelled in many countries and seen many cities, I must admit that I have hardly ever seen anything comparable to this town and these schools, for everything is in such perfect order that nothing better could be imagined."

The engraving shows Cambridge from a birds-eye perspective. In 1209 professors and students from Oxford founded the University of Cambridge. In 1284 Hugh de Balsham, bishop of Ely, founded the first College, Peterhouse, visible on the far right of the engraving. Near the River Cam is one of the best-known colleges in the city. King Henry VI founded King's College in 1441. King's College Chapel, completed in 1515, is an important example of Gothic architecture and one of the city's chief landmarks. The castle is seen from a low perspective in the lower lefthand corner. The Normans built it in 1068, two years after the coronation of William I as king of England. It was demolished in the 19th century to provide building materials for new colleges

This rare work is highly sought-after work and is sure to form an interesting conversation piece to any living room. This piece looks stunning mounted as shown in either our A2 or 20x16 inch framed editions.