OXFORDSHIRE Old Map John Speed 1611 Oxford Banbury Abingdon Bicester

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.

Not surprisingly the University town of Oxford features prominently on Speed's map. Oxford was an ideal location for the establishment of a University with its castle and fortified walls providing protection. From the thirteenth century scholars began to flock to Oxford and the number and size of its colleges began to flourish through the proceeding centuries from its modest initial beginnings.

Of Oxfordshire Speed said the following:
Oxfordshire not only had hills beset with woods and provision for all kind of game of hawk and hound, but was well watered with streams and rivers and its valleys and level ground were good for grain growing and fruit farming. However its enormous prosperity depended on its pasturage of cattle and sheep particularly in the Cotswolds adjoining Gloucestershire where some of the highest wool in the country was produced.

This full colour antique reproduction would look stunning when mounted and would form a striking centrepiece to any room.

This would make a wonderful gift for someone from Oxford, who went to Oxford university, or who has Oxfordshire in their heart.

Features:
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• This stunning piece incorporates 16 coats of arms of the various colleges of the University of Oxford including Magdalen, Corpus Christi, Balliol and Merton along with the year of their foundation
• An artistically detailed drawn map of 17th century Oxfordshire including rivers, wooded areas, place names and hill ranges
• Two masters resplendent in academic robes are measuring the globe with a pair of dividers
• An inset map of Oxford featuring a 32 piece index of places of interest
• A superb crest of Dieu and Mon Droit - God and My Right, the motto of the British monarchy
• All offset with a lovely decorative border