John Speed's map of Nottinghamshire available online

Cambridge University Library holds one of five known sets of proof maps prepared for John Speed's Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine, which was published in 1611/12. The University Library has digitised the atlas and full-sized prints can be purchased online.


The Nottinghamshire map depicts towns and villages in the county and includes a detailed street plan of Nottingham and information on the Battle of Stoke (1487). A zoomable image can be viewed on the website.

• Cambridge University Library

Time Team in Notts!

A few posts ago I bemoaned the fact that Time Team had consistently ignored Nottinghamshire over 18 series of exploring the archaeology of the UK (and occasionally beyond). I now learn that this week the team have been working on King John's Palace, a medieval hunting lodge and royal palace at Kings Clipstone, near Mansfield - that'll teach me!

There are some nice photos on the Nottingham University website and a report and photos on the Mansfield Chad site.

Nottingham Civic Society celebrates demolished hotel

Nottingham Civic Society has unveiled a plaque on the site of the long-demolished Nottingham landmark, The Black Boy Hotel. This impressive 1887 building was designed by the flamboyant architect Watson Fothergill and regrettably destroyed in 1970 to be replaced by a dismal Littlewoods store (now occupied by Primark).

Ken Brand of the Civic Society commented that "its demolition was considered by most to be the worst example of architectural vandalism of that era in Nottingham."

• BBC Nottingham news item