1585 Defence Map

Thought to be developed as a defence map of Portsmouth, and beacons in the area. Annotated by William Cecil Lord Burghley, Secretary of State to Elizabeth the 1st, who was an avid map collector and  new the importance of such.  There beacons can be seen on what was called “Portesdowne” which were the basis of the alert  system in place for invasion and attack.

• Mapping Portsmouth

• Old Maps Online