The Abingdon Monks' Map (commonly known as The Monks' Map) is a 16th-century map of the

River Thames The River Thames ( ), known alternatively in parts as the The Isis, River Isis, is a river that flows through southern England including London. At , it is the longest river entirely in England and the Longest rivers of the United Kingdom, se ...

around the town of Abingdon, Oxfordshire (formerly in

Berkshire Berkshire ( ; in the 17th century sometimes spelt phonetically as Barkeshire; abbreviated Berks.) is a historic county in South East England. One of the home counties, Berkshire was recognised by Queen Elizabeth II as the Royal County of Berk ...

England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...

. It is held in the collection of the

Abingdon County Hall Museum Abingdon County Hall Museum (also known as Abingdon Museum) is a local museum in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, England. The museum is run by Abingdon Town Council and supported by Abingdon Museum Friends, a registered charity. It is a Grade II li ...

. The map covers the stretch of river between Abingdon and Radley. It is long and wide, consisting of four pieces of

vellum Vellum is prepared animal skin or membrane, typically used as writing material. Parchment is another term for this material, from which vellum is sometimes distinguished, when it is made from calfskin, as opposed to that made from other anima ...

that are glued together.

History

The map was preserved in the archives of the Verney family, having been inherited by

Mary Blacknall Mary Verney (née Blacknall, 1616 – 10 May 1650) was the wife of Sir Ralph Verney, 1st Baronet, of Middle Claydon DL, JP (1613–1696), an English baronet and politician who sat in the House of Commons. Mary Blacknall was the daughter of Jo ...

(1616–1650), who married

Sir Ralph Verney, 1st Baronet, of Middle Claydon Sir Ralph Verney, 1st Baronet DL, JP (12 November 1613 – 24 September 1696) was an English baronet and politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1640 and 1690. Background Baptised at Hillesden in Buckinghamshire, he ...

(1613–1696). In 1907, it was given to the Corporation of Abingdon and was framed and held in the Guildhall at Abingdon. The map was restored for a reopening of

Abingdon Museum Abingdon County Hall Museum (also known as Abingdon Museum) is a local museum in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, England. The museum is run by Abingdon Town Council and supported by Abingdon Museum Friends, a registered charity. It is a Grade II li ...

, where it was put on display in 2012. As part of the investigation during this process, the map was x-rayed at the

National Gallery The National Gallery is an art museum in Trafalgar Square in the City of Westminster, in Central London, England. Founded in 1824, it houses a collection of over 2,300 paintings dating from the mid-13th century to 1900. The current Director o ...

in London.

Monks map

Blacknall Map

Another smaller map of the river, known as the Blacknall Map (or Claydon Map), is held at Claydon House, the Verney family home, in

Buckinghamshire Buckinghamshire (), abbreviated Bucks, is a ceremonial county in South East England that borders Greater London to the south-east, Berkshire to the south, Oxfordshire to the west, Northamptonshire to the north, Bedfordshire to the north-ea ...

to the north of Abingdon. This was produced for William Blacknall in support of his mill-owning and fishery rights during a lawsuit in 1570. The Monks' Map itself may well have been produced for a similar purpose rather than by monks at Abingdon Abbey.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Abingdon Monks Map 1500s works 16th-century maps and globes 16th century in England Historic maps of Europe Maps of England History of Berkshire History of Oxfordshire History of the River Thames Monks Map

History

Monks map

Blacknall Map

See also

References