Sign In

Hereford During the English Civil War

This 1646 map of Herefordshire by Jan Jansson offers a richly detailed geographical representation of the county during a pivotal time in English history. Jansson was one of the leading Dutch cartographers of the 17th century, and his Atlas Novus series featured highly decorative and accurate maps that became sought-after works of art.

This map is subdivided by Hundreds, features the rolling hills, rivers, and settlements of Herefordshire, also contains a prominent display of six coats of arms, symbolizing the noble families historically connected to the region. 

The coats of arms depicted in the upper-right corner of the map highlight six key noble families, each of which played a significant role in Herefordshire’s feudal and political history:

1. William FitzOsbern: The first coat of arms, in the top left, belongs to William FitzOsbern, 1st Earl of Hereford (c. 1011–1071). FitzOsbern was a close ally of William the Conqueror, and for his loyalty and leadership during the Norman Conquest, he was granted extensive lands in Herefordshire. His role as a military leader in the Marches helped establish Norman control over the borderlands with Wales.

2. Robert Bossu, Earl of Leicester: The second coat of arms, labeled "Robert Bossu E.," belongs to Robert de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Leicester (c. 1104–1168), also known as Robert Bossu (Robert the Hunchback). A key figure in the reign of King Stephen, Robert was one of the most powerful nobles of his time, overseeing large estates in the Midlands and maintaining influence in Herefordshire through his connections to the Marcher Lords.

3. Miles of Gloucester, Earl of Hereford: The top right coat of arms is for Miles of Gloucester, also known as Miles Coste of England (c. 1100–1143). As the 1st Earl of Hereford, he was one of the most influential Anglo-Norman nobles in the Welsh Marches. Miles was a staunch supporter of Empress Matilda during her struggle for the English crown against King Stephen, and his family’s connections to Herefordshire were deeply rooted in its feudal history.

4. Henry de Bohun, Earl of Hereford: The bottom left coat of arms represents Henry de Bohun, 1st Earl of Hereford (1176–1220), from the powerful de Bohun family. His arms indicate the deep ties of the Bohuns to the county, particularly through their landholdings and political influence. Henry de Bohun was a significant figure in the baronial rebellion against King John, and his family remained influential in the region for centuries.

5. Henry Bolingbroke, Duke of Lancaster: The center-bottom coat of arms belongs to Henry Bolingbroke (1367–1413), later King Henry IV. Before becoming king, Bolingbroke was the Duke of Lancaster, a title that came with vast estates, including lands in the Welsh Marches and Herefordshire. His connection to the county is emblematic of his role as one of the most powerful figures in England prior to his ascension to the throne in 1399.

6. Stafford Family: The bottom right coat of arms is that of the Stafford family. The Staffords, later elevated to the title of Dukes of Buckingham, were prominent landowners in Herefordshire during the late Middle Ages. Their political fortunes rose and fell with the shifting allegiances of the Wars of the Roses, but their presence in the county remained significant throughout the period. 

During this period, Herefordshire was shaped by its strategic location on the Welsh border and its proximity to political power centers in both England and Wales. The county saw substantial changes in landownership, particularly after the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII in the 1530s. Large tracts of church land were seized and redistributed to the gentry, reshaping the socio-political landscape of Herefordshire.

During the English Civil War (1642–1651), Herefordshire, like much of the West of England, remained largely Royalist, supporting King Charles I against Parliament. The map, produced in 1646, reflects a county that was in the midst of this national turmoil. The prominent noble families whose arms are displayed on the map were deeply involved in the region’s political and military affairs, some of which were directly impacted by the outcome of the war. 

Jansson’s map exemplifies the blend of art and geography typical of 17th-century Dutch cartography. The detailed depictions of Herefordshire’s natural features—rivers, hills, forests—and its hundreds (administrative divisions) showcase the practical use of the map for understanding the region. The coats of arms, depicted with cherubic figures, not only add a heraldic flourish but also serve as a reminder of the long-standing noble traditions that dominated the county’s history. 

In conclusion, this 1646 map of Herefordshire encapsulates the county’s feudal heritage and its geographic significance during a period of great political upheaval. The inclusion of the noble families’ coats of arms links the region’s geography to its aristocratic history, offering a visual narrative that spans centuries of English and Welsh border politics.