This orderly plan of the Scottish capital was derived from an engraving in Ralph Holished's Chronicles published in 1574. The bird's-eye plan depicts the old city dominated by the hilltop castle labeled Castrum puellarum (Castle of the Maidens); a reference to Pictish princesses that were supposed to be lodged there. Viewed from the south, the city with its tall tenement buildings, citadel and the abbey/monastery of St. Giles is encircled by medieval walls. The Palace of Holyrood, ransacked during the English raids at the end of Henry VIII’s reign, lies just outside the city walls on the right. The plan is decorated with strapwork cartouches and figures in the foreground.

References: Goss (City) plt. 18.

Condition: A

A couple of tiny wormholes not affecting the engraved surface, else fine with a sharp impression. Remnants of framer's hinges on verso.