Copper engraving, mm 420x520, colored. Among the most decorative maps of the British Isles, showing the Saxon Kingdoms of Britain in the 5th to 6th Centuries The so called Heptarchy map is drawn after Joan Blaeu's one of 1645, which is based on 1611 Speed’s map. It bears the same title of Blaeu’s but vessels, rumb lines and compass roses has been added in the sea. The two sets of vignettes on either side of the map show historical scenes of the Saxon age, also copied from Speed’s map but redone in dutch XVII century style. The map was first printed in the historical atlas (vol. VI of the Atlas Major) by Jansson and later in G. Hornius’ “Accuratissimia Orbis Antiqui Delineatio” Johannes Janssonius (1588 - 1664) was born in Arnhem, Holland. He was the son of a printer and bookseller and in 1612 married the daughter of Hondius. In 1616 Jansson produced his first maps influenced by Blaeu. In the mid 1630s Jansson partnered with his brother-in-law, Henricus Hondius, to produce his important work, the eleven volume Atlas Major. About this time, Jansson's name also begins to appear on Hondius reissues of notable Mercator/Hondius atlases. Georg Horn (1620 - 1670) german historian and professor, composed a number of historical essays but is best known for composing the text to accompany Johannes Jansson's historical atlas.