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This richly detailed map of Derbyshire, engraved by Jodocus Hondius, was published in John Speed's Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine at the beginning of the 17th century.
The map includes intricate details of the county's topography, settlements, and notable landmarks. The left side features the coats of arms of local nobility and an inset map of the town of Darbye (Derby), with a key to notable buildings. A prominent illustration of Buxton Hall appears in the bottom right corner, and a decorative title cartouche, compass rose, and scale bar enhance the visual appeal.
The map is adorned with decorative flourishes and annotations, showcasing Speed's elaborate style and the cartographic skills of Hondius.
John Speed (1551 or '52 - 28 July 1629) was the best known English mapmaker of the Stuart period. Speed came to mapmaking late in life, producing his first maps in the 1590s and entering the trade in earnest when he was almost 60 years old.
John Speed's fame, which continues to this day, lies with two atlases, The Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine (first published 1612), and the Prospect of the Most Famous Parts of the World (1627). While The Theatre ... started as solely a county atlas, it grew into an impressive world atlas with the inclusion of the Prospect in 1627. The plates for the atlas passed through many hands in the 17th century, and the book finally reached its apotheosis in 1676 when it was published by Thomas Bassett and Richard Chiswell, with a number of important maps added for the first time.
