John Speed Mapmaker

A few days ago I published an article on maps, well here's a little more to come on this subject...

John Speed (1552 -1629)

John Speed, a renowned English cartographer and historian, left an indelible mark on the history of England and Wales, as its most celebrated mapmaker during the Stuart period. Born in the charming village of Farndon, just over the River Dee into Cheshire, Speed's humble beginnings were rooted in his father's prosperous tailoring business, where he initially found himself immersed. However, destiny had grander plans for young Speed, leading him on a remarkable journey that would shape the way generations perceived the world around them - including me. With an insatiable curiosity and an unwavering passion for cartography, Speed embarked on a path that would forever cement his name in the annals of English history.

The first time I saw John Speed's 1610 map of Flintshire was when I was a pupil at the Gwynedd CP School in Flint - Mr Peers taught us history and is still a local historian in the area - well in his nineties now. Since then, I have always been fascinated with this very early depiction of the county I grew up in. It has hidden little gems within, and the more you look at the map, the more you see.

When contemplating Mr. Peers, it becomes fascinating to consider the profound impact our former educators have on our lives. Undoubtedly, my esteemed history teachers, namely Mr. Alan Peers, Mr. Rupert Worral, and Mrs. Glenys Harrison (whose daughter Emma I had the honor of teaching long ago), played a pivotal role in shaping my journey towards becoming an author with a deep passion for history.  My heartfelt gratitude goes out to each and every one of them.

to be continued...