A CHART OF KINGS LYN, 1693.

by C. Merit

This reproduction is taken from an original document, held within the Archives of the UK Hydrographic Office, Taunton, Somerset.

Towards the end of the seventeenth century the growing demand for charts led to many surveys such as this being made of various English harbours. Kings Lynn in Norfolk, was of considerable importance at the time since a large proportion of the trade of the Eastern Counties,both with continental Europe and with other parts of England, was carried on through this port. The chart still shows a great likeness to the Dutch `Waggoners', but it is the first chart of the Wash to show the banks and channels in any detail.

This decorative chart contains the royal coat of arms of William III, which are distinguished by the lion of the House of Orange in the centre. In addition the arms of King's Lynn are depicted in the top left corner.