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This map is one page of a book of strip maps which was published in 1720 by John Owen and Emanuel Bowen. It was based on a book of maps published in 1675 by John Ogilby called "Britannia Depicta". This extract covers a stretch of the main London to Holyhead road between Banbury and Tardebigge. As you can see at this time the road ran between Haselor (spelt Haifler) and Aston Cantlow (spelt Afton), before crossing the River Alne and entering Great Alne (called Great Auneton) From there it bypassed Alcester completely and ran through Houghton, before following the current main road towards Studley and then to Crabbs Cross, Headless Cross (shown as Hedley's Crofs) and Tardebigge (Tardbick). The route through Alcester did not become the main road until after the road was turnpiked in 1753. The old road can still be seen in places, but some stretches are grassed over or little more than tracks.

The note at the side reads:
AULCEFTER [at 1O5] is a very ancient Tn.& very justly reputed to have been a Station of ye Romans, from their coyns frequently dug up in & near it; of w.ch a very considerable Number both Gold & Silver were found sometime agoe in an Urn in digging ye foundation of a Cellar w.ch fell into ye hands of ye Lord Brook, Ld of ye Manor. It is at present a Corporation & has a good Corn Mt. on Tuesd.

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Additional Information
List of Maps in Britannia Depicta
Guide to British Maps
Biographies of Mapmakers and Artists - inc. Emannuel Bowen
Hanson Collection Catalogue

Spring 1997 Index