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The first ever map of Shropshire up for sale

Elizabeth I was on the throne and Shakespeare was still a teenager when it was made, and now the first ever map of Shropshire is to go up for sale.

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Supporting image for story: The first ever map of Shropshire up for sale

The Christopher Saxton map, drawn up in 1579, will be on display as part of an antique maps exhibition in the village of Brampton Bryan, on the Shropshire border between Leintwardine and Knighton – and could be yours for a cool £2,200.

This section of the map shows the area between Bridgnorth and the Wrekin. The spelling of the place names are different from what we use today and of course there is no Ironbridge. Wenlock is marked as the main town in this area of the county at this time. A plethora of other villages and towns are marked.
This section of the map shows the area between Bridgnorth and the Wrekin. The spelling of the place names are different from what we use today and of course there is no Ironbridge. Wenlock is marked as the main town in this area of the county at this time. A plethora of other villages and towns are marked.
In this part of the map we can see Ludlow clearly marked as a major town but it is Titterstone Clee Hill and Brown Clee that take prominence. It is interesting to note that Titterstone was known by a different name at this time. The detail of the map is impressive with many smaller villages clearly marked making this an extremely accurate and informative map for the time.
In this part of the map we can see Ludlow clearly marked as a major town but it is Titterstone Clee Hill and Brown Clee that take prominence. It is interesting to note that Titterstone was known by a different name at this time. The detail of the map is impressive with many smaller villages clearly marked making this an extremely accurate and informative map for the time.

Despite being drawn up by tiny team rushing to cover every county in England in medieval times, the map is both surprisingly familiar and accurate, showing towns from "Whitchvrche" to "Wellynton", "Shrowesbvrye" to "Lvdlow" together with Shropshire's landmark hills.

It is one of many historical maps at The Marches: Maps, Prints and Bindings exhibition being held by Aardvark Books at Manor Farm.

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