Rural and urban geography in early maps

Abstract

Summary Knowledge of the use of land is essential to any proper appreciation of past rural economies. Much of the evidence for past land use is to be found on medium and large‐scale maps, sources which alone can provide usable information at a field scale. Three categories of maps of Great Britain are examined: the maps of individual counties surveyed mainly between 1750 and 1850; those prepared in the 1830s and 1840s for the commutation of tithes; and maps of the Ordnance Survey, especially the unpublished drawings for the first edition of the 1”; to 1 mile maps and the published 6”; maps and 25”; plans. Maps are judged by their accuracy as maps, the range of information on land use they provide and the reliability of that information, the extent of their coverage, the length and nature of the period during which they were surveyed, and the availability of supporting documentary material and of other cartographic, documentary and statistical sources. The tithe maps are rated highly on nearly all counts, the main weaknesses being the gaps in coverage and the laboriousness of reconstructing past use from the schedules. All other sources have major deficiences, although they provide essential information available from no other source. To be of maximum value, they must be properly evaluated; but even imperfect material can be useful if examined at an appropriate scale.

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