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The First Map of England and Wales Published in England. The Cornerstone Map for all British Isles Collections.
Original hand-colored example of the first English printed map of England and Wales, by Christopher Saxton, "the father of English cartography".
Saxton's map was absolutely foundational, having significantly improved upon anything that came before it. Mercator, Speed, Blaeu, Jansson, and many other cartographers of the 16th and 17th centuries would rely on Saxton for their maps of England and Wales.
The map was the product of Saxton's survey of England, which he commenced in 1574. Despite the arduous and groundbreaking nature of the surveying work, the first plates were already being made in 1574 and the work was complete in 1578. Some have suggested that Saxton relied on John Rudd's earlier surveys to speed up the process.
The products of that survey, including the present map, originally appeared in Christopher Saxton's Atlas of the Counties of England and Wales (1579), the first English county atlas. That atlas was made possible through the sponsorship of Queen Elizabeth and William Cecil, Lord Burghley, Elizabeth's chief adviser. Thomas Seckford, who commissioned the survey from Saxton, is honored on this map with the inclusion of his coat of arms including his motto "Industria Naturam Ornat."
The map was engraved by Augustine Ryther, the most accomplished of the three English engravers used by Saxton. Ryther signed the plate under the scale of miles: "Augustinus Ryther Anglus Sculpsit Ano Dñi 1579".
The title cartouche is surmounted by the Coat of Arms of Queen Elizabeth I, and from it dangle fish and lobsters, one of the numerous allusions to England's reliance on the sea throughout the map. Sea monsters and sailing ships - not uncommon in maps of the time - are absolutely teeming in the waters around England and Wales. While Henry VIII had founded the Royal Navy, Queen Elizabeth made naval strength a central feature of her foreign policy, something that would be true of England from that point onward. Elizabeth's investment in the navy would pay off, nine years after the publication of this map, when the harried the Spanish Armada in the English Channel, foiling the Habsburg attempt to invade England.
In the upper-left corner, an index ("Index Omnium Comitatuum, notis et figuris suum cuique situm et ambitum designantiub") lists the Latin names of 52 counties in England and Wales. The numbers given in the index correspond to those on the map.
States
This is an example of the second state. The states are identified as follows:
1. 1579. Without the latitude and longitude numerals inserted in the inside edge of the map and in the frame border.
2. 1583. With the latitude and longitude numerals added.
Christopher Saxton (c. 1540–c. 1610) was an influential English cartographer, best known for producing the first comprehensive atlas of England and Wales in 1579. His detailed and methodical maps laid the foundation for English cartography and shaped how maps were created and used in the British Isles.
Early Life and Training
Saxton was born around 1540 in the parish of Dunningley, West Yorkshire. While little is known about his early education, he likely had training as a surveyor and draftsman. His introduction to cartography might have been through John Rudd, vicar of Dewsbury and a skilled mapmaker himself. Rudd’s mentorship likely influenced Saxton’s focus on detail and accuracy in his work.
Connections in Government and Cartography
Saxton's career took a decisive turn through his connections with Thomas Seckford, a powerful courtier and member of Queen Elizabeth I's government. Seckford, who held the title of Master of Requests, was instrumental in supporting Saxton’s rise. Recognizing the need for accurate maps for governmental and military purposes, Seckford secured Saxton’s commission to create a detailed survey of England and Wales.
Saxton’s project had the full backing of the Crown. He received letters of authorization from Elizabeth I, which provided him protection and access to local officials during his surveys. This royal endorsement ensured Saxton's cooperation with local authorities as he traveled to gather data. The support from Seckford and the government reflects how critical accurate cartography was for administrative, military, and taxation purposes during this period.
Saxton’s Atlas of England and Wales
From 1573 to 1579, Saxton conducted detailed surveys across England and Wales, often working with surveyors, draftsmen, and engravers. His atlas, published in 1579 as Atlas of the Counties of England and Wales, was a groundbreaking achievement. It contained 35 maps, each representing one county, and presented an unprecedented level of geographical accuracy and detail. The maps were engraved by leading engravers of the day, including Augustine Ryther and Remigius Hogenberg.
This atlas was not only a monumental achievement in cartography but also a significant political and military tool for Elizabethan England, aiding administrative control and supporting defense efforts, particularly in anticipation of foreign threats like Spain.
Innovations and Influence
Saxton’s maps set a new standard in English cartography. He was among the first English cartographers to include latitude and longitude markings and detailed topographical information, such as rivers, mountains, and towns. His work was visually striking, incorporating ornate decorations, coats of arms, and symbols representing important buildings and cities. These features made his maps both functional and aesthetically appealing.
His detailed surveys laid the groundwork for future mapmakers and had a lasting influence on English cartography. Later figures, such as John Speed, heavily relied on Saxton’s work. Speed’s The Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine (1611–12) incorporated many of Saxton’s innovations but added further historical and descriptive elements.
Later Life and Legacy
Saxton continued to work as a surveyor after his atlas was published, though much of his later life remains obscure. His contributions to cartography, however, remain indisputable. His maps were used, reprinted, and refined by future generations of mapmakers. The engravings from his atlas continued to be used well into the 17th century, with new editions appearing long after his death.
Christopher Saxton's legacy as a pioneering figure in English cartography is profound. His connection to powerful patrons like Thomas Seckford and the royal endorsement for his work illustrate the intersection of cartography with government and political power in Elizabethan England. His maps were not only scientific achievements but also important tools of statecraft, symbolizing the Crown’s control over its territories.
Saxton likely died around 1610, but his Atlas of England and Wales remains a foundational work in the history of cartography.
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