A very early map of Exeter, made in 1587
This map in 2007 shows more or less the same area as the bird's eye view. North is to the top.
Land west of the Exe is outside the city
By Curator of West Exe based on research by Tom Cadbury and Oliver Blackmore, RAMM Antiquities team.
The map below shows a bird's eye view of Exeter. It was published in 1587. The 'bird' is flying over St Thomas looking across the river towards the walled city. It shows how the land west of the river was outside the walled city. We can't be sure how accurate the map is, but you can compare it to the modern map on the right.
The ancient map gives a sense of the main buildings at the time. Can you spot Exe Bridge and St Thomas' Church?
Modern coloured copy of the original 1587 'Hooker-Hogenberg map' of Exeter. North is more or less towards the top left hand corner.
From the collections at RAMM
The original map
John Hooker arranged for a map to be made in 1584-5 when he was Chamberlian of the city of Exeter. Francis Hogenberg did the engraving and a number of copies were printed from this. It is one of the earliest maps of any English town.
The original was published in black and white. The colour copy on this page was only made about twenty years ago to go on display in RAMM. The Devon Record Office now has the original.