Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
drawn in white, with notes about where they led. There is a depiction of the imposing multi-
towered Norman castle at Ogmore, above centre right, commanding the confluence of two
rivers. Other buildings such as churches and houses are also drawn in perspective, in the vil-
lages of St Brides Major and Wick, and in nearby hamlets. However the Priory is shown dis-
proportionately large compared to the other buildings, which suggests that it was significant
for the purpose of the map.
There is a second map showing a similar area to this one, but oriented differently, without
reference to Ewenny Priory, and with different details, including a prominent mill not shown
on this map. We know why and when that one was made. It dates to June 1579, from papers
in a case heard in the Court of the Duchy of Lancaster (the Duchy was lord of the manor of
Ogmore). Commissioners in that case stated that they made that map, and notes on it explain
that it shows areas of common used by householders of St Brides, in which the householders
of Wick claimed common rights.
Where there are two apparently similar maps, as here, it is tempting to assume a relation-
ship between them. The use of place names such as 'The kings wood' and 'The kings mill'
on the second map, dated well into Queen Elizabeth I's reign, might suggest that the later
map is a copy from one of the reign of Henry VIII or Edward VI. Did the commissioners
perhaps use an earlier or extant map - this one - as a base? If so, it seems strange that they
do not mention another map besides their own. If these were a draft and a finished map, they
would be likely to resemble each other more closely. Perhaps more evidence may yet appear
to throw new light on this map and help to solve its dating puzzle.
