Devonshire archive acquires unique Tudor map

"The only known original copy of a Elizabethan map of Kingsbridge has been acquired by the South West Heritage Trust after more than four centuries in private hands. Funded by a grant of 17,691 ($24,220) from the Friends of the Nations' Libraries, the trust was able to arrange a private sale for 18,428 ($25,230) a week before the rare document was set to be sold at auction. It will now be publicly accessible to researchers at the Devon Heritage Centre in Exeter."

"The bird's-eye view of Kingsbridge, known as the Kingsbridge Platt, dates to 1586 and is the oldest known map of Kingsbridge. The map is a pen and ink drawing on vellum with watercolor wash. There are six different colors painted on the vellum, are still vivid. This is all the more significant considering that before the original was offered at auction in November 2025, the map was only known from a black and white reproduction published in The Gentleman's Magazine in 1796."

"The front of the document is entitled: The trewe platt of the newe bylding, upon fyve pyllers of stone, betwixt the Church styles of kyngsbrydge. On the verso is a more simple ink label: The mapp of Kingsbrig. Both inscriptions are contemporary, written at the time the map was made. It depicts the important buildings of the Tudor town, including the 13th century parish church, the pillory and the timber-frame Market House, then dubbed Chepe House, where the manor court was held."

The Kingsbridge Platt, a bird's-eye estate map dated 1586, is the oldest known map of Kingsbridge and is a pen-and-ink drawing on vellum with watercolor wash. Six vivid colors remain on the vellum despite four centuries in private hands. Acquisition was funded by a 17,691 grant from the Friends of the Nations' Libraries and secured via a private sale for 18,428 one week before auction, ensuring public access at the Devon Heritage Centre in Exeter. Contemporary inscriptions appear on front and verso. The map depicts Tudor town buildings, stone houses, the Market House (Chepe House), and the residence of merchant George French. The map documents properties of Sir John Petre, son of Sir William Petre.

Read at www.thehistoryblog.com