‘Britain at the time of the Saxon Heptarchy’, Gardner proof copy of John Speed, The Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine (1611-12), 1603 x 1611

Cambridge, Cambridge University Library, Atlas.2.61.1, 1

https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/view/PR-ATLAS-00002-00061-00001/1

In a world of satnav, Google Earth and GPS location, it’s easy to take for granted that we can always find out where we are and how to get to somewhere else.

But how did the business of mapping our country actually begin? This Short & Sweet is devoted to the pioneers – from Saxton, Norden, and Spede (who was actually a bit of a plagiarist!) right up to the heroes of the Ordnance Survey.

We’ll marvel at estate maps, tithe maps, enclosure awards – all works of art in their own right. And from those first one-inch and six-inch OS maps, we will see how history – early, Roman, Saxon, modern – is still very much a part of the landscape.

By the end, we are sure you will have a fresh resolve to discover your Britain.

RJW F2532 Online (via Zoom)

A 5-hour short course, delivered via 2 x 2½-hour sessions on consecutive Saturdays (Saturday 6 & Saturday 13 December).

£40 (individual registration); £72 (for two people sharing one screen).