1575 – Saxton -Terwoort

Leonard Terwoort, from Antwerp in the Netherlands, engraved this copper plate engraving, which he then hand-colored. Hantshire, Southampton, and the Wight are indicated on this London map by Christopher Saxton that dates back to circa 1575.

Elizabeth I issued Christopher Saxton a charter on July 16, 1574, instructing him to traverse all of England and produce maps in an effort to more precisely define the entirety of the country. In the end, 34 maps were made, and an atlas of England and Wales was printed in 1579.

Cartographer

Little is known about his early years other than the fact that he worked as a servant for John Rudd, a mapmaker and prebendary of Durham Cathedral who served as the vicar of Dewsbury.

Around this period, there was a much higher demand for clarity regarding who owned the land and where the boundaries were. Saxton become increasingly interested in learning the techniques required to accurately lay down and record as a result. Additionally, owners desired title deeds to be documented and proved so that the whole title could be preserved for future generations.

In March 1574, Saxton received Grigson Manor in Suffolk as payment from Elizabeth I for his services to the monarchy and nation.

When the Privy Council granted him a royal permission or pass to perform surveys on behalf of the Crown in March 1576, it further diminished his significance.

Although his exact passing was not recorded, it is believed to have occurred before 1626.

• Old Hamspshire Mapped

• Old Hamspshire Mapped