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Untitled [Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire]

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Michael Drayton (1563-1631) was an English poet who composed the "Poly-Olbion". This was illustrated with one of the most unusual series of county maps ever published, of which this map of Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire is a whimsical example. The "Poly-Olbion" was a series of poems, or songs, extolling the beauties of the English and Welsh countryside, and was first published in 1612. William Hole, who also engraved maps for Camden's "Britannia", was commissioned to provide the maps to illustrate these songs. Drayton states that each map is "lively delineating ... every mountaine, forrest, river and valley; expressing in their sundry pastures; their loves, delights and naturall situations". Thus, it was clearly the intention to produce allegorical maps showing the natural topographical features of the county. As such very few towns or cities are shown on the maps. Each feature is accompanied by an allegorical figure - hills are shown with shepherds, rivers with water nymphs, islands with goddesses, towns with female figures wearing mural crowns, or crowns alone are used to denote London and royal palaces. Trimmed just inside the neatline with protective margins added.

region: Worcestershire

mapmakers: M.Drayton W.Hole

place and date of publication: London 1612

medium and colour: Copperplate, Coloured
size in cms: 33 x 25

ref: 24447

Price: £ 340

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Untitled [Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire]

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