• Introduction
• Overview
• Atlas
• Metadata
• Sources
• Usage statistics

Data copyright © Dr Keith Lilley, Chris Lloyd, Steve Trick unless otherwise stated

This work is licensed under the ADS Terms of Use and Access.

Primary contact

Dr Keith Lilley
School of Geography
Queen's University Belfast
University Road
Belfast
BT7 1NN
Northern Ireland
Tel: 0208 902 73363
Fax: 0208 903 21280

Send e-mail enquiry

Resource identifiers

• ADS Collection: 433
• DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1000022
• How to cite using this DOI

Datasets

• Dataset 1: Online digital historical atlas text and images
  • Content
  • Subject
  • Coverage
  • Creators
  • Publisher
  • Identifiers
  • Dates
  • Copyright
  • Relations
  • Language
  • Resource Type
  • Format
• Dataset 2: Downloadable raw data: survey-, metric- and plan-data
  • Content
    • field survey data
    • metric data
    • plan data
  • Subject
  • Coverage
  • Creators
  • Publisher
  • Identifiers
  • Dates
  • Copyright
  • Relations
  • Language
  • Resource Type
  • Format
• Dataset 3: Distributed GIS database of Edward I's new towns
  • Content
  • Subject
  • Coverage
  • Creators
  • Publisher
  • Identifiers
  • Dates
  • Copyright
  • Relations
  • Language
  • Resource Type
  • Format

These datasets derive from the Mapping the medieval urban landscape project which began in 2003 with two years funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Board. It ended in 2005. Using mapping as a medium, its purpose has been to examine the processes that shaped urban landscapes in the middle ages, and further an understanding of the forms and formation of medieval towns. The project is the first detailed comparative study of medieval urban design and planning in Britain. It is also the first to have used spatial technologies - Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) - as a basis for mapping and analyzing medieval urban landscapes. The project team was Dr Keith Lilley (director), Dr Chris Lloyd, and Dr Steven Trick (RA) (Queen's University Belfast).

The research focused on a group of new towns situated in Wales and England established during the reign of King Edward I. The towns were originally founded between 1277 and 1303. Thirteen new towns were examined in detail. The project's aims were to: firstly, characterize their urban forms; secondly, establish their original layout and design; thirdly identify common aspects of their design; fourthly, examine the agents and the decision-making processes involved in their formation. The towns covered were Aberystwyth, Beaumaris, Caernarfon, Caerwys, Conwy, Cricieth, Flint, Harlech, Holt, Newborough, Overton, Rhuddlan, and Winchelsea. The project also had as one of its main aims the creation of an interactive, digital historic towns atlas made available to a broad audience to disseminate awareness and knowledge of medieval towns in general, and stimulate interest in Edward I's new towns in particular. The atlas resource is hosted by ADS under the title "Mapping medieval townscapes: a digital historical atlas of King Edward I's new towns of England and Wales".

[top]

Content

The text of "Mapping medieval townscapes: a digital historical atlas of King Edward I's new towns of England and Wales" was written by Keith Lilley in 2005. Images were compiled by Steven Trick. Maps were redrawn by Gill Alexander.

The atlas text consists of c.48,000 words covering (1) general introduction; (2) introduction to the study towns; (3) introduction to the maps and mapping in the atlas; (4) entries on each of the thirteen study towns (including discussion of their early history, their design and planning, and their characteristics today); (5) a discussion of the Edwardian towns not covered by the atlas; (6) a summary and conclusion; (7) a list of sources used and cited (published and unpublished). The atlas text is referenced using footnotes. The text was initially written using Microsoft Word. This document was then converted to PDF format. Some of the original text for the atlas entries was converted to HTML (via Macromedia Dreamweaver) for the project's ADS web pages.

The images included in the atlas include maps specially drawn by the project team, as well as archival historic maps and modern aerial imagery. The specially-drawn maps include three 'core maps', showing each town in terms of (a) the available reliable map information, (b) proven and conjectured medieval features, and (c) how it looked c.1300.'Supplementary maps' for each town are also provided, and these show features selected from the 'core maps' (such as street and plot patterns) overlaid onto modern aerial imagery and historic mapping. There are also speculative 3D visualizations of each town derived using data from the core mapping. The core maps were created first in ArcGIS (ArcMap and ArcCatalogue), then transferred to be redrawn in MAPublisher (Avenza Systems Inc.). They are saved as PDFs. Other images in the atlas are saved as jpgs. These include the supplementary maps, digital photographs, aerial imagery (stored in ArcGIS) and historic maps (raster layers in ArcGIS).

[top]

Subject:

• Town, Medieval
  • Urban topography
    • Streets, plots, buildings
    • Market, quaysides, churches
• Castle, Medieval
  • Urban fortification
• Medieval town planning
• Edward I (1272-1307), King of England

[top]

Coverage:

Geographical locations (modern):

• England:
  • Dorset (County)
    • Purbeck (LA)
      • Newton
  • East Sussex (County)
    • Rother (LA)
      • Winchelsea
  • East Yorkshire (County)
    • Kingston-upon-Hull (UA)
      • Kingston-upon-Hull
  • Northumberland (County)
    • Berwick-upon-Tweed (LA)
      • Berwick-upon-Tweed
• Wales:
  • Anglesey (Ynys Môn) (UA)
    • Beaumaris
    • Newborough/Niwbwrch
  • Ceredigion (UA)
    • Aberystwyth
  • Conwy (UA)
    • Conwy
  • Denbighshire (UA)
    • Denbigh
    • Rhuddlan
    • Ruthin
  • Flintshire (UA)
    • Caerwys
    • Flint
    • Mostyn
  • Gwynedd (UA)
    • Bere
    • Caernarfon
    • Cricieth
    • Harlech
  • Wrexham (UA)
    • Holt
    • Overton
• Pre-1974 counties (Wales):
  • Anglesey
  • Caernarfonshire
  • Cardiganshire
  • Denbighshire
  • Flintshire
  • Merioneth

[top]

Period:

• Medieval
  • Later middle ages
    • Reign of King Edward I (1272-1307)
      • 1277-1303

[top]

Creators:

• Dr Keith D Lilley (Project Director), School of Geography, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK, BT7 1NN, +44 (0)28 9097 3363, k.lilley@qub.ac.uk, www.qub.ac.uk/urban_mapping
• Dr Chris Lloyd (Co-Director), School of Geography, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK, BT7 1NN, +44 (0)28 9097 3478, c.lloyd@qub.ac.uk
• Dr Steven Trick (Research Assistant), School of Geography, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK, BT7 1NN, s.trick@qub.ac.uk
• Funded by: Arts and Humanities Research Board (now Arts and Humanities Research Council), Whitefriars, Lewins Mead, Bristol, BS1 2AE, +44 (0)117 987 6500, www.ahrc.ac.uk

[top]

Publisher:

• Dataset is unpublished at present (2005)

[top]

Identifiers:

• Original project title: Mapping the medieval urban landscape: Edward I's new towns of England and Wales

[top]

Dates:

• Primary data collection (survey fieldwork, archival work) carried out between September 2003 and August 2004.
• Fieldwork in England and Wales carried out in September 2003, March 2004, May 2004, and July 2004.
• Data digitization and processing (GIS) carried out between September 2003 and December 2004.
• Data interpretation and presentation carried out between January 2005 and May 2005.

[top]

Copyright:

• Queen's University Belfast (authors: Keith Lilley, Chris Lloyd, Steven Trick)

[top]

Relations:

Published and unpublished sources are listed in full in the text of the online atlas. The following are the primary unpublished sources used in the production of the atlas maps (listed here by geographical place-name):

Historic (manuscript/printed) maps:

The following historic mapping was scanned and then geo-rectified in ArcGIS using GPS-derived survey data. Selected features were digitised from these raster plans as vector themes, to show former (pre-1850) plot and street patterns, building positions, watercourses and urban fortifications. Their use is described in detail in the online atlas text (under 'Maps'). Ordnance Survey first edition 1:2500 scale plans were also used in the production on the atlas 'core maps', and likewise scanned and geo-rectified. Only the pre-Ordnance Survey maps are listed here, together with their location.

• Aberystwyth
  • 1740: Lewis Morris (Ceredigion Record Office)
  • 1797: Gogerddan Collection (Ceredigion Record Office)
  • 1809: William Couling (Ceredigion Record Office)
  • 1834: John Wood (reprinted in Town and City Maps of the British Isles 1800-1855)
  • 1846: Tithe Award map (National Library of Wales)
• Beaumaris
  • 1610: John Speed (reprinted in The Counties of Britain: a Tudor atlas by John Speed)
  • 1829: Richard Yates (Bangor University Manuscript Library)
• Caernarfon
  • 1610: John Speed (reprinted in The Counties of Britain: a Tudor atlas by John Speed)
  • 1834: John Wood (reprinted in Town and City Maps of the British Isles 1800-1855)
• Caerwys
  • 1742: Maes Mynon demesne (Flintshire Record Office)
  • 1849: Tithe Award map (National Library of Wales)
• Conwy
  • 1776: Holland estate map (Caernarfon Record Office)
  • 1843: Tithe Award map (National Library of Wales)
• Cricieth
  • 1839: Tithe Award map (National Library of Wales)
• Flint
  • 1610: John Speed (reprinted in The Counties of Britain: a Tudor atlas by John Speed)
  • 1740: Mostyn estate map of several tenements in Flint town (Flintshire Record Office)
  • 1840: Tithe Award map (National Library of Wales)
  • 1854: land for sale by Mr Liefchild (Flintshire Record Office)
• Harlech
  • 1610: John Speed (reprinted in The Counties of Britain: a Tudor atlas by John Speed)
  • 1840: Tithe Award map (National Library of Wales)
• Holt
  • 1790: map of lands in the townships of Holt and Issycoed belonging to Trevallyn estate (Flintshire Record Office)
  • 1843: Tithe Award map (Denbighshire Record Office)
• Newborough
  • 1836: Tithe Award map (National Library of Wales)
• Overton
  • 1837: Tithe Award map (National Library of Wales)
• Rhuddlan
  • 1756: Elinor Conway estate (Flintshire Record Office/National Library of Wales)
  • 1810: Bodrhyddan estate in Rhuddlan and Dyserth (Flintshire Record Office)
  • 1839: Tithe Award map (National Library of Wales)
• Winchelsea
  • 1758: Stephen's map of Winchelsea (East Sussex Record Office)
  • 1767: Arnold Nesbitt estate by John Mackoun (East Sussex Record Office)

[top]

Unpublished archaeological reports:

These data provide information on evaluations and excavations carried out in the study towns. Their site plans were scanned and imported into ArcGIS. They were then geo-rectified to GPS-survey data. Selective medieval features such as ditches, walls, and other structures, were digitized. This digitized Information was related to topographic data derived from map sources (such as street and plot patterns). Their features are selectively reproduced on the 'core maps' in the digital atlas. Their textual information was drawn upon in the atlas text.

• Beaumaris
  • Anon., Archaeological Assessment of the Site of Former Outdoor Activities Centre, Beaumaris (G1044) (Gwynedd Archaeological Trust report 28, c.1985).
  • D. Hopewell, Church Room, Beaumaris, archaeological watching brief G1786 (Gwynedd Archaeological Trust report 507, 2003).
  • G. Smith, The Old County Gaol, Bunker's Hill, Beaumaris, Anglesey: archaeological watching brief during excavation of trench for new foul water drain (G1831) (Gwynedd Archaeological Trust report 529, 2004).
  • G.H. Smith, Regent House, 17 Church Street, Beaumaris, archaeological assessment and evaluation excavation (G1807) (Gwynedd Archaeological Trust report 508, 2003).
  • M.A. Ward, Old Coalyard, Steeple Lane. Beaumaris, archaeological evaluation (GAT 1140) (Gwynedd Archaeological Trust report 85, 1994).
  • R.B. White, undated, untitled typescript report on 15th-century town ditch in Steeple Lane (GAT town files).
• Caernarfon
  • Anon., Caernarfon Bank Quay watching brief September 1994 (G1239) March 1996 (G1398) (Gwynedd Archaeological Trust report 205, nd.).
  • Anon., Eastgate Street, Caernarfon, archaeological watching brief (Gwynedd Archaeological Trust report 361, 2000).
  • Anon., 11-13 High Street, Caernarfon, archaeological evaluation (Gwynedd Archaeological Trust report 118, c.1994).
  • Anon., Excavations at 29 High Street, Caernarfon, interim report 77 (G1122) (Gwynedd Archaeological Trust report, c.1993).
  • A. Davidson, Boundary wall at 9 Market Street, Caernarfon, archaeological assessment (G1685) (Gwynedd Archaeological Trust report 409, 2001).
  • A. Davidson and D.Rh. Gwyn, Eastgate Street, Caernarfon, archaeological assessment (G1368) (Gwynedd Archaeological Trust report 202, 1996).
• Conwy
  • Anon., Conwy West Sewage Disposal and Quay Pipelines - 1994 Development, archaeological monitoring and recording (phase II) (G1182) ((Gwynedd Archaeological Trust report 111, c.1994).
  • Gifford Consulting Engineers, Former TA Centre Premises, Berry Street, Conwy, report on archaeological works (Report B4658B-RO3, 2002, copy with GAT)
  • R.S. Kelly, Conwy's Past in Future. A survey of archaeological deposits in Conwy, Gwynedd (Gwynedd Archaeological Trust, Bangor, 1977).
• Flint
  • Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust, 'Delyn Historic Settlement Survey', unpublished report (June 1995).
• Holt
  • D. Thomas, Green Street, Holt, Clwyd: archaeological evaluation, Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust report 115 (1994).
  • R.J. Silvester, M. Walters and D. Wayne, Wrexham Maelor Historic Settlements, Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust report 42 (1992).
• Newborough
  • Anon. 'Hendre Bach, Newborough: archaeological assessment' (Gwynedd Archaeological Trust report 461, 2002).
  • Anon. 'Newborough and Rhosyr', unpublished paper (Gwynedd Archaeological Trust, no date).
  • D. Hopewell, 'Archaeological assessment at Hendre Bach, Newborough. Field evaluation Part 1: geophysical survey' (G1761) (Gwynedd Archaeological Trust report 466, 2002).
  • N. Johnstone, 'Church Street, Newborough: archaeological evaluation' (G1382) (Gwynedd Archaeological Trust report 191, 1996).
  • R. White, unpublished letter dated October 3 1979 held by Gwynedd Archaeological Trust (in Project File G1382).
• Overton
  • R.J. Silvester, M. Walters and D. Wayne, Wrexham Maelor Historic Settlements, Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust report 42 (1992).
• Rhuddlan
  • D. Thomas, Gwindy Street, Rhuddlan, Clwyd. Archaeological Evaluation. Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust Report 77 (1993).
• Winchelsea
  • Earthwork survey of Winchelsea (manuscript copy in National Monuments Record).
  • D. Martin and B. Martin, Quarter-by-Quarter Analysis of Winchelsea, East Sussex (Archaeology South-East, unpublished report, University College London, 2002).
  • D. Martin and B. Martin, An Extensive Urban Survey Assessment of Winchelsea, east Sussex (Archaeology South-East, unpublished report, University College London, 2002).

[top]

Publications on data collection:

• Lilley K D , Lloyd C, Trick S and Graham, C 2005 'Analysing and mapping medieval urban forms using GPS and GIS', Urban Morphology 9(1), 5-15.
• Lilley K D, Lloyd C and Trick S 2005 'Mapping medieval urban landscapes: the design and planning of Edward I's new towns of England and Wales', Antiquity 79 (No. 103), project gallery # 3.

[top]

Language:

• English (UK)

[top]

Resource Type:

• Interpretation of data

[top]

Format:

• Atlas text: HTML and PDF
• Atlas images: PDF and JPG

[top]

Content:

Three raw data-sets deriving from the project are available for downloading: (1) field survey data; (2) metric data; (3) plan data. All are shape files (ArcGIS). Further metadata on each dataset is included in the files. Comparable data is available for all thirteen of the project's study towns:

1. field survey data

   Global Positioning System (GPS) and Terrestrial Positioning System (TPS) survey points (XYZ co-ordinates) gathered for each town during field survey in 2003 and 2004. The survey strategy was to obtain fixed points for selected urban features, such as street intersections, property boundaries (shown on Ordnance Survey first edition 1:2500 scale mapping), and surviving medieval structures. The GPS data consists of a unique identification number for each point, a quality statement, an XYZ co-ordinate, and in some cases a description. The GPS survey data were derived using a Leica differential GPS calibrated via either an 'active' or 'passive station'. The TPS data also has a unique identification number, an XYZ co-ordinate, a description (where needed), but has no quality statement. The TPS survey data is calibrated to the GPS data points via a locally-created survey network (listed as 'stations' in the data sets). GPS points were processed using Leica Ski Pro 3.0. GPS points were gathered in WGS84 and converted to British Grid (OSGB36) using GridInquest Software (Quest Geodetic Solutions), version 6.0 (OSTN02 transformation model. TPS measurements were collected in British Grid working from GPS-derived survey stations. This is with the exception of Beaumaris, Caernarfon, Conwy where TPS points were collected in a local grid system, later transformed to British Grid using Ski Pro (Caernarfon, Conwy) and ArcMap Spatial Adjustment Toolbar (Beaumaris).

2. metric data

   Metric data provide field-based evidence for the dimensions of the towns' plot and street patterns. The data supplied is for measurements across selected plot frontages and streets, and is simply a measure between GPS/TPS survey points to give a value of distance. The measures of plot frontages are for those building plots that are deemed to be of possible antiquity and which may in some cases date back to time of the town's origins. They were selected on the basis of field and map evidence. Not all plot frontages will be of medieval origin. As an indicator of their authenticity and quality a coding system is used in the metric data for plot frontages where (1) is considered best and (4) is worst. This information is contained in the files. For the streets the data relates to their measured length between street intersections, derived again from transformed GPS/TPS data. All the metric data is mappable using ArcGIS-compatible software and will relate to the survey data points.

3. plan data

   Plan data are urban 'plan elements' derived in the GIS by digitizing selected streets, plots and buildings as shown on the first edition 1:2500 scale Ordnance Survey plan. This source mapping is first scanned and geo-rectified to the GPS field survey data, and then plan elements are selected using the method of town-plan analysis, the idea being that they preserve an outline of the medieval town plan. Not all the selected plan elements are contemporary with the origin of a town. Digitization of streets, plots and buildings was carried out in ArcGIS (Arc Catalogue and ArcInfo). Metric data (see 2. above) relates to the digitized plot-boundaries and street blocks of the plan data. Again they are stored as shapefiles that are mappable through ArcGIS (and compatible GIS software).

[top]

Subject:

• Town, Medieval
  • Urban topography
    • Streets, plots, buildings
    • Market, quaysides, churches
• Castle, Medieval
  • Urban fortification
• Medieval town planning
• Edward I (1272-1307), King of England
• Field surveying
  • Urban survey
  • Global Positioning System (GPS)
  • Terrestrial Positioning System (TPS)
• Geographical Information System (GIS)
  • ArcGIS
  • ArcIMS

Coverage:

Geographical locations (modern):

• England:
  • East Sussex (County)
    • Rother (LA)
      • Winchelsea
• Wales:
  • Anglesey (Ynys Môn) (UA)
    • Beaumaris
    • Newborough/Niwbwrch
  • Ceredigion (UA)
    • Aberystwyth
  • Conwy (UA)
    • Conwy
  • Denbighshire (UA)
    • Rhuddlan
  • Flintshire (UA)
    • Caerwys
    • Flint
  • Gwynedd (UA)
    • Caernarfon
    • Cricieth
    • Harlech
  • Wrexham (UA)
    • Holt
    • Overton
• Pre-1974 counties (Wales):
  • Anglesey
  • Caernarfonshire
  • Cardiganshire
  • Denbighshire
  • Flintshire
  • Merioneth

[top]

Period:

• Medieval
  • Later middle ages
    • Reign of King Edward I (1272-1307)
      • 1277-1303

[top]

Creators:

• Dr Keith D Lilley (Project Director), School of Geography, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK, BT7 1NN, +44 (0)28 9097 3363, k.lilley@qub.ac.uk, www.qub.ac.uk/urban_mapping
• Dr Chris Lloyd (Co-Director), School of Geography, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK, BT7 1NN, +44 (0)28 9097 3478, c.lloyd@qub.ac.uk
• Dr Steven Trick (Research Assistant), School of Geography, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK, BT7 1NN, s.trick@qub.ac.uk
• Funded by: Arts and Humanities Research Board (now Arts and Humanities Research Council), Whitefriars, Lewins Mead, Bristol, BS1 2AE, +44 (0)117 987 6500, www.ahrc.ac.uk

[top]

Publisher:

• Dataset is unpublished at present (2005)

[top]

Identifiers:

• Original project title: Mapping the medieval urban landscape: Edward I's new towns of England and Wales

[top]

Dates:

• Primary data collection (survey fieldwork, archival work) carried out between September 2003 and August 2004.
• Fieldwork in England and Wales carried out in September 2003, March 2004, May 2004, and July 2004.
• Data digitization and processing (GIS) carried out between September 2003 and December 2004.
• Data interpretation and presentation carried out between January 2005 and May 2005.

[top]

Copyright:

• Queen's University Belfast (authors: Keith Lilley, Chris Lloyd, Steven Trick)

[top]

Relations:

The three downloadable raw datasets are related to each other. Each dataset is geo-referenced to the same spatial/geographical co-ordinates. Each includes information about the study towns covered by the online atlas.

The survey data in this dataset are derived from using Leica differential GPS and Leica 'Total Station' survey equipment. It is corrected using Active and Passive station data. The metric data are based upon the survey data set. The plan data are derived from Ordnance Survey first edition 1:2500 scale plans scanned and geo-rectified to GPS field survey data.

[top]

Publications on data collection:

• Lilley K D , Lloyd C, Trick S and Graham, C 2005 'Analysing and mapping medieval urban forms using GPS and GIS', Urban Morphology 9(1), 5-15.
• Lilley K D, Lloyd C and Trick S 2005 'Mapping medieval urban landscapes: the design and planning of Edward I's new towns of England and Wales', Antiquity 79 (No. 103), project gallery # 3.

[top]

Language:

• English (UK)

[top]

Resource Type:

• Primary data

[top]

Format:

• Survey data: shapefile (ArcGIS)
• Metric data: shapefile (ArcGIS)
• Plan data: shapefile (ArcGIS)

[top]

Content:

Content of distributed GIS dataset (shapefiles and rasters):

A spatial database (GIS) is available for each study town. It consists of interactive 'layers' of topographical, historical and archaeological information relating to each of the project's thirteen study towns. It is distributed via ArcIMS software (freely-served). The database is derived from datasets held on the project's Personal Geo Databases (ArcGIS). It includes georectified raster images (historic maps; aerial imagery) and digitized vector data (plan elements; archaeology; topographic features). The raster historic maps were derived by scanning original maps and geo-rectifying those using GPS field survey data (in ArcGIS). The aerial imagery is sourced from GetMapping. The vector data are derived from digitizing source mapping (Ordnance Survey 1:2500 scale first edition maps; historic mapping; archaeological site plans), and using the project's own field survey data. They are deposited as shapefiles. Permission has been obtained for using reproductions of the geo-rectified raster images (saved as TIFFs) but they must not be downloaded or copied. The vector data are free to use (with acknowledgement). Not all source material used in the full project GIS database is accessible via the ArcIMS link (due to copyright restrictions).

Subject:

• Town, Medieval
  • Urban topography
    • Streets, plots, buildings
    • Market, quaysides, churches
• Castle, Medieval
  • Urban fortification
• Medieval town planning
• Edward I (1272-1307), King of England
• Field surveying
  • Urban survey
  • Global Positioning System (GPS)
  • Terrestrial Positioning System (TPS)
• Geographical Information System (GIS)
  • ArcGIS
  • ArcIMS

Coverage:

Geographical locations (modern):

• England:
  • East Sussex (County)
    • Rother (LA)
      • Winchelsea
• Wales:
  • Anglesey (Ynys Môn) (UA)
    • Beaumaris
    • Newborough/Niwbwrch
  • Ceredigion (UA)
    • Aberystwyth
  • Conwy (UA)
    • Conwy
  • Denbighshire (UA)
    • Rhuddlan
  • Flintshire (UA)
    • Caerwys
    • Flint
  • Gwynedd (UA)
    • Caernarfon
    • Cricieth
    • Harlech
  • Wrexham (UA)
    • Holt
    • Overton
• Pre-1974 counties (Wales):
  • Anglesey
  • Caernarfonshire
  • Cardiganshire
  • Denbighshire
  • Flintshire
  • Merioneth

[top]

Period:

• Medieval
  • Later middle ages
    • Reign of King Edward I (1272-1307)
      • 1277-1303

[top]

Creators:

• Dr Keith D Lilley (Project Director), School of Geography, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK, BT7 1NN, +44 (0)28 9097 3363, k.lilley@qub.ac.uk, www.qub.ac.uk/urban_mapping
• Dr Chris Lloyd (Co-Director), School of Geography, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK, BT7 1NN, +44 (0)28 9097 3478, c.lloyd@qub.ac.uk
• Dr Steven Trick (Research Assistant), School of Geography, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK, BT7 1NN, s.trick@qub.ac.uk
• Funded by: Arts and Humanities Research Board (now Arts and Humanities Research Council), Whitefriars, Lewins Mead, Bristol, BS1 2AE, +44 (0)117 987 6500, www.ahrc.ac.uk

[top]

Publisher:

• Dataset is unpublished at present (2005)

[top]

Identifiers:

• Original project title: Mapping the medieval urban landscape: Edward I's new towns of England and Wales

[top]

Dates:

• Primary data collection (survey fieldwork, archival work) carried out between September 2003 and August 2004.
• Fieldwork in England and Wales carried out in September 2003, March 2004, May 2004, and July 2004.
• Data digitization and processing (GIS) carried out between September 2003 and December 2004.
• Data interpretation and presentation carried out between January 2005 and May 2005.

[top]

Copyright:

• Queen's University Belfast (authors: Keith Lilley, Chris Lloyd, Steven Trick)

[top]

Relations:

The GIS database relates to both the downloadable project raw-datasets and also the online atlas dataset. The vector data (survey data and plan data) in the GIS are also available to download in raw form (shapefiles). The raster images are discussed in the text of the online atlas and used as a basis to create the atlas 'core maps'. Rasters are not for duplication by a third party and are subject to copyright held by the organizations listed against the sources below. The following selected unpublished sources were drawn upon for creating the 'source' and 'interpretative' map layers in the GIS database:

Historic (manuscript/printed) maps:

The following historic mapping was scanned and then geo-rectified in ArcGIS using GPS-based survey data. The maps were selectively digitized to show former (pre-1850) plot and street patterns, building positions, watercourses and urban fortifications (vector data in the GIS). Their use is described in detail in the online atlas text (under 'Maps'). Ordnance Survey first edition 1:2500 scale plans were also used in the production on the atlas 'core maps', and likewise scanned and geo-rectified. Only the pre-Ordnance Survey maps are listed here, together with their location.

• Aberystwyth
  • 1740: Lewis Morris (Ceredigion Record Office)
  • 1797: Gogerddan Collection (Ceredigion Record Office)
  • 1809: William Couling (Ceredigion Record Office)
  • 1834: John Wood (reprinted in Town and City Maps of the British Isles 1800-1855)
  • 1846: Tithe Award map (National Library of Wales)
• Beaumaris
  • 1610: John Speed (reprinted in The Counties of Britain: a Tudor atlas by John Speed)
  • 1829: Richard Yates (Bangor University Manuscript Library)
• Caernarfon
  • 1610: John Speed (reprinted in The Counties of Britain: a Tudor atlas by John Speed)
  • 1834: John Wood (reprinted in Town and City Maps of the British Isles 1800-1855)
• Caerwys
  • 1742: Maes Mynon demesne (Flintshire Record Office)
  • 1849: Tithe Award map (National Library of Wales)
• Conwy
  • 1776: Holland estate map (Caernarfon Record Office)
  • 1843: Tithe Award map (National Library of Wales)
• Cricieth
  • 1839: Tithe Award map (National Library of Wales)
• Flint
  • 1610: John Speed (reprinted in The Counties of Britain: a Tudor atlas by John Speed)
  • 1740: Mostyn estate map of several tenements in Flint town (Flintshire Record Office)
  • 1840: Tithe Award map (National Library of Wales)
  • 1854: land for sale by Mr Liefchild (Flintshire Record Office)
• Harlech
  • 1610: John Speed (reprinted in The Counties of Britain: a Tudor atlas by John Speed)
  • 1840: Tithe Award map (National Library of Wales)
• Holt
  • 1790: map of lands in the townships of Holt and Issycoed belonging to Trevallyn estate (Flintshire Record Office)
  • 1843: Tithe Award map (Denbighshire Record Office)
• Newborough
  • 1836: Tithe Award map (National Library of Wales)
• Overton
  • 1837: Tithe Award map (National Library of Wales)
• Rhuddlan
  • 1756: Elinor Conway estate (Flintshire Record Office/National Library of Wales)
  • 1810: Bodrhyddan estate in Rhuddlan and Dyserth (Flintshire Record Office)
  • 1839: Tithe Award map (National Library of Wales)
• Winchelsea
  • 1758: Stephen's map of Winchelsea (East Sussex Record Office)
  • 1767: Arnold Nesbitt estate by John Mackoun (East Sussex Record Office)

[top]

Unpublished archaeological reports:

These data provide information on evaluations and excavations carried out in the study towns. Their site plans were scanned and imported into ArcGIS. They were then geo-rectified to GPS-survey data. Selective medieval features such as ditches, walls, and other structures, were digitized. This digitized Information was related to topographic data derived from map sources (such as street and plot patterns). Their features are selectively reproduced on the 'core maps' in the digital atlas. Their textual information was drawn upon in the atlas text.

• Beaumaris
  • Anon., Archaeological Assessment of the Site of Former Outdoor Activities Centre, Beaumaris (G1044) (Gwynedd Archaeological Trust report 28, c.1985).
  • D. Hopewell, Church Room, Beaumaris, archaeological watching brief G1786 (Gwynedd Archaeological Trust report 507, 2003).
  • G. Smith, The Old County Gaol, Bunker's Hill, Beaumaris, Anglesey: archaeological watching brief during excavation of trench for new foul water drain (G1831) (Gwynedd Archaeological Trust report 529, 2004).
  • G.H. Smith, Regent House, 17 Church Street, Beaumaris, archaeological assessment and evaluation excavation (G1807) (Gwynedd Archaeological Trust report 508, 2003).
  • M.A. Ward, Old Coalyard, Steeple Lane. Beaumaris, archaeological evaluation (GAT 1140) (Gwynedd Archaeological Trust report 85, 1994).
  • R.B. White, undated, untitled typescript report on 15th-century town ditch in Steeple Lane (GAT town files).
• Caernarfon
  • Anon., Caernarfon Bank Quay watching brief September 1994 (G1239) March 1996 (G1398) (Gwynedd Archaeological Trust report 205, nd.).
  • Anon., Eastgate Street, Caernarfon, archaeological watching brief (Gwynedd Archaeological Trust report 361, 2000).
  • Anon., 11-13 High Street, Caernarfon, archaeological evaluation (Gwynedd Archaeological Trust report 118, c.1994).
  • Anon., Excavations at 29 High Street, Caernarfon, interim report 77 (G1122) (Gwynedd Archaeological Trust report, c.1993).
  • A. Davidson, Boundary wall at 9 Market Street, Caernarfon, archaeological assessment (G1685) (Gwynedd Archaeological Trust report 409, 2001).
  • A. Davidson and D.Rh. Gwyn, Eastgate Street, Caernarfon, archaeological assessment (G1368) (Gwynedd Archaeological Trust report 202, 1996).
• Conwy
  • Anon., Conwy West Sewage Disposal and Quay Pipelines - 1994 Development, archaeological monitoring and recording (phase II) (G1182) ((Gwynedd Archaeological Trust report 111, c.1994).
  • Gifford Consulting Engineers, Former TA Centre Premises, Berry Street, Conwy, report on archaeological works (Report B4658B-RO3, 2002, copy with GAT)
  • R.S. Kelly, Conwy's Past in Future. A survey of archaeological deposits in Conwy, Gwynedd (Gwynedd Archaeological Trust, Bangor, 1977).
• Flint
  • Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust, 'Delyn Historic Settlement Survey', unpublished report (June 1995).
• Holt
  • D. Thomas, Green Street, Holt, Clwyd: archaeological evaluation, Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust report 115 (1994).
  • R.J. Silvester, M. Walters and D. Wayne, Wrexham Maelor Historic Settlements, Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust report 42 (1992).
• Newborough
  • Anon. 'Hendre Bach, Newborough: archaeological assessment' (Gwynedd Archaeological Trust report 461, 2002).
  • Anon. 'Newborough and Rhosyr', unpublished paper (Gwynedd Archaeological Trust, no date).
  • D. Hopewell, 'Archaeological assessment at Hendre Bach, Newborough. Field evaluation Part 1: geophysical survey' (G1761) (Gwynedd Archaeological Trust report 466, 2002).
  • N. Johnstone, 'Church Street, Newborough: archaeological evaluation' (G1382) (Gwynedd Archaeological Trust report 191, 1996).
  • R. White, unpublished letter dated October 3 1979 held by Gwynedd Archaeological Trust (in Project File G1382).
• Overton
  • R.J. Silvester, M. Walters and D. Wayne, Wrexham Maelor Historic Settlements, Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust report 42 (1992).
• Rhuddlan
  • D. Thomas, Gwindy Street, Rhuddlan, Clwyd. Archaeological Evaluation. Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust Report 77 (1993).
• Winchelsea
  • Earthwork survey of Winchelsea (manuscript copy in National Monuments Record).
  • D. Martin and B. Martin, Quarter-by-Quarter Analysis of Winchelsea, East Sussex (Archaeology South-East, unpublished report, University College London, 2002).
  • D. Martin and B. Martin, An Extensive Urban Survey Assessment of Winchelsea, east Sussex (Archaeology South-East, unpublished report, University College London, 2002).

[top]

Publications on use of GIS by the project team:

• Lilley K D , Lloyd C, Trick S and Graham, C 2005 'Analysing and mapping medieval urban forms using GPS and GIS', Urban Morphology 9(1), 5-15.
• Lilley K D, Lloyd C and Trick S 2005 'Mapping medieval urban landscapes: the design and planning of Edward I's new towns of England and Wales', Antiquity 79 (No. 103), project gallery # 3.

[top]

Language:

• English (UK)

[top]

Resource Type:

• Processed data

[top]

Format:

• Survey data: shapefile (ArcGIS)
• Digitized plan-data: shapefile (ArcGIS)
• Digitized archaeological-data: shapefile (ArcGIS)
• Archaeological site-plans (rasters): TIFF (geo-rectified in ArcGIS)
• Historic map rasters: TIFF (geo-rectified in ArcGIS)
• Aerial imagery: TIFF (pre-geo-rectified)

[top]