Theatrum orbis terrarium

Theatrum orbis terrarium published by Abraham Ortelius, 1592

Bound atlas

Antverpiae: in officina Plantiniana, auctoris aere & cura

MRB/X912/7F (16th Century)

Bequest of David Scott Mitchell, 1907

Europe in the time of Shakespeare

In the 1590s Shakespeare located many of his plays in the Italian cities of Verona, Venice, Rome and Mantua. While there is no record of Shakespeare travelling outside England, he along with his fellow countrymen would have viewed the world through commentaries of travellers and through atlases and maps circulated throughout England.