Island of Barbados

This chart of the island of Barbados in c.1690 is from an atlas by William Hack, who specialised in producing fine manuscript charts for royalty and other important clients. His work was typical of the 'Thames School' of chart-makers which flourished in the 17th century. The parish boundaries are drawn in red and there is a detailed description of agriculture, military matters and administration on the lower right. Hack was well known for producing charts copied from those plundered from a Spanish ship captured by buccaneer Captain Bartholomew Sharp.