This fine early birds-eye view of Canterbury is from the ‘Civitates Orbis Terrarum’ which was compiled by George Braun (1541-1622) the Canon of Cologne Cathedral. Braun produced a total of over 500 city views and maps published in six parts between 1572 and 1617 of which just 10 were English. Most of the engraving was the work of Simon Novellanus and Frans Hogenberg (1535-1590), many after drawings by George Hoefnagel although this one is unidentified. It was published in the fourth volume first issued in 1588 in Latin, this issue is the only French edition issued c.1590. Fordham ‘Town Plans of the British Isles’, in ‘Map Collectors’ Circle’ no. 22 p. 5; Koeman II B & H 4 no. 1.