DetectingWales.com

I had an early knock at the door this morning with Royal Mail delivering a framed map of South Wales dated 1724 by Herman Moll - issued in 1753. I bought it on an auction site, with the providence that it had previously been bought from Colwyn Galleries in 1972 - original receipt attached. The paper matches the age, but along with the discolouration doesn't really show up in the photographs, so I am content its authentic.

Loads of interesting features on it including the importance of Llandaff in comparison to Cardiff. The missing valleys towns that only appeared after the Industrial Revolution and the demand for coal (no sign of Merthyr Tydfil). The numerous alternative spellings from Bristoll Channel, Swansey, Brecknock (Brecon), Caerfilly, Wormes Head, Aherdare, etc.

Just need to find somewhere to hang it tonight.

Cheers
Neil

Nice Map Neil, gives an insight of the importance of towns then. I noticed for example Llanwonno has the same size font as Caerphilly. Today there is only a pub and a church, guess it was of some importance in those days.
Nice find!

wheres the best place to get good old maps of s wales ?

Nice Map Neil. I've looked at the prints for sale myself but  it's hard to see whats on them from a small pici on line. Yours seems like quite a detailed one. Any chance of another pici showing the west in more detail. Could be interesting.

Val

Here you go Val - hope that helps

Neil

I like old maps and have some by Speed and Robert Morden, one dated 1652.

As you say, some of today's lesser towns were far more important back then.

It'd be nice to get hold of a Roman Map!! Certainly Caerleon and Caerwent would be on it.  ;D

Many thanks for that Neil.  Interesting to see how the coastline has changed in the last 300 years. Even allowing for a certain amount of artistic licence the differences are quite allarming.
It's also interesting to see how many places aren't on his map. As you said some only came into existence from necessity due to mining.
Shame he didn't include roads, they are a real help.

Val

The roads are on there Val - you can see them as a grey solid twin line for a major road (slightly more substantial than a track) and a twin dotted line for a minor road (more likely to be a track).

The place that has the most roads and tracks leading into it is Brecknock (Brecon) which kind of makes sense as a substantial market town.

Cheers

You're right Neil, I missed them. Not surprising though if you look at how many roads ran through West Wales back then. Not Many. There's only 1 little bit of what you'd call main road. It ran from, what I think is Burton, through to Haverford West. That isn't there now. Very interesting, thanks.

Val

I've got a Saxon & Kip map of Carmarthen which may be of interest to anyone living in that
part of the country.

Hi Bob

Thanks for posting pici.  It makes you wonder how they found their way around back then doesn't it.

Val

The horses knew the way!

I like the story of a man who got drunk every night and would just about get on his horse
and it'd make get him home safely whilst he slept.

They're clever things....but then you'd know that!  ;)

My old fella is, he's got me well trained, I know my place. He get better looked after than my Hubby. But then he he is better looking. ;D

Val

Two men in your life. A mistress, eh?  It's all on DW  :o

Take a look. Even if you don't like horses, you've got to admit he is very good looking and unlike some he has perfect manners. He wouldn't dare not, he knows I'd thump him one up the nose.  ::) ;D

Val

arrr so youv'e got a nice looking stallion to take you home in the nights then Val,  lol bet it makes your hubby feel redundant lol

Yea, he's the only stallion in my life these days. Always been a sore point with Hubby.  He says HE knows his place - at the back of the queue. ;D

I always say you've got to look after them that can't look after themselves. (Spose that means Hubby should be at the front, not the back). ::)

Val