Hand-coloured copperplate engraving, 25 x 33cm (image), 37 x 45cm (frame). A scarce and intriguing historical map engraved by William Hole (d.1624) showing the intersection of 4 English Midlands shires. Wonderfully illustrated, the map features a variety of female allegorical figures, animals and mythical creatures. Some places mentioned include Warwick, the Old Forest of Arden 'Now the Woodland of Warwick Shyre', Coventry, Sherborn, Sowe, Dunsmore Heath, Newnham Well, The Vale of Redhorse etc. Worthy of further research, previous owner suggests a date of 1632, this annotated in graphite, (potentially an earlier or later issue). Some toning, grubby fold lines, foxing etc. as well as residue on inside of frame. Local pickup recommended. English poet and courtier Michael Drayton (1563-1631)�began work on the topographical poem 'Poly-Olbion' in the 1590s. The first part, from which this map of Warwickshire originates, was initially published 1612, and later expanded with a second part in 1622. Drayton was a friend and correspondent with some of the leading personalities of his age, including Shakespeare. The inclusion of Arden on the map was potentially a nod to the Bard's play 'As You Like It', set in an imaginary version of the wood (Mary Arden was also Shakespeare's mother).