The Queen’s Atlas: Saxton’s Elizabethan Masterpiece

 The Queen’s Atlas: Saxton’s Elizabethan Masterpiece

Reviewed By  Grasshopper2       December 16, 2025

 

Author  David Fletcher

Distributor:      New South Books
ISBN:                 978-1851246205
Publisher:         Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
Release Date:   6 November 2025  

Website:    https://newsouthbooks.com.au/books/the-queens-atlas/ 

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The Queen’s Atlas is a book of great beauty. The maps are wonderfully reproduced in colour, and the many documents and pictures all contribute to an extraordinary historical story about a man of whom most of us have never heard. It is a treasure.

Christopher Saxton was often referred to as the “Father of British Cartography.” He was born around 1542. His birthdate is not specific as he was not from the elevated levels of society. He spent his early years in Yorkshire and came from a farming family.

In later years he was apprenticed to a surveyor named Rudd, who surveyed and checked local information, ‘in keeping with Renaissance Scientific ideals.’ Rudd was emphatic that he must view all sites and travel himself rather than listen to the accounts of others.

Saxton took over the surveying and mapping of England at a time of change. In the 16th Century map making was becoming essential and concern for scale and accuracy demanded.

There was a practical use of maps for defence, and intelligence gathering, as well as being used for propaganda and patriotism. In the 1570s cartography was recognised as an important tool for the country, and Gerard Mercator introduced his project.

In 1573 Saxton received a commission from Queen Elizabeth 1st to conduct a National Survey. He chose to conduct the survey by County, making a series of medium scale maps showing settlements, and major landscape features. The chapters continue to discuss ‘The Scientific and Intellectual background, surveying techniques and texts, and surveying instruments.’

This fascinating look at the maps of Saxton’s and the context of the politics of the times will engage readers completely. A wonderful historical book.

History, Non Fiction, Science