Braun, Georg; Hogenberg, Franz

Londinum feracissimi Angliae Regni metropolis. First published in Civitates Orbis Terrarum, c.1570. Hand-coloured. Latin text to verso.

The earliest town plan of London, this map uses a view perhaps unique to maps, a flat-plane city strangely angled to show the major buildings, though with no regard to perspective. This was published in Civitates Orbis Terrarum, itself the first collection of printed town maps. There are various states of the map identified. This is likely an intermediate state between the first state and the final state in 1574. The spelling of Westminster has changed to "West Muster" (from "West Mester") but it does not show the Royal Exchange or bear the words "Cum Privilegio" in the lower right corner. The map was produced for the Hanseatic League, and their headquarters in London (the Steelyard) is described in the lower right corner. It was hoped to attract Royal favour from Mary - hence the Royal Barge in the centre of the river - and emphasise the importance of the League - hence the ostenatious ignoring of the impressive halls of the Livery Companies. Intriguingly, the original map must have drawn on information acquired earlier than its publication date. Several details would have changed by the time of publication, such as the spire of St Paul's (destroyed in 1561); the cross in St Botolph's without Bishopgate churchyard (lost in 1559); and the identifying of York Place as "Suffolke Place" (re-named 1557). This map was most likely derived from a much larger plan commissioned by the League, but only three sheets survive from this version. This is thus a hugely significant source on early modern London and its development, presented here in an attractive hand-coloured state.