LICHFIELD anciently called LICIDFELD i.e. Campus Cadaverum, from the many Martyrd Bodies in the Dioclesian Persecution; being (a Thousand Christians) the Disciples of St Amphibalus, who were Massacred in a Field called Christian Field, and their Carcasses exposed to Wild Beasts; whence it bears for its Device an Eschouchon of a Landskip inn? is Represented 3 Slain Kings. This City is a County of itself; containing about 10 or 12 Miles in Compass Surrounded every Year (Viz.t) September 8th by the Sheriff who then Feasts the Corporation & Neighbouring Gentry: By Charter Edward 6th the Government consists of 2 Bailiffs, chosen Yearly out of 21 Brethren, a Recorder, Steward, Sheriff & c. Members of Parliament are chosen by the Free-men Free-holders and Burgess Tenors, paying Scot and Lot. Here are 3 Parish Churches, and a Cathedral. Markets Tuesday and Fryday. Fairs Ashwednesday, May-day and the Friday before St Simon & Jude.

The City and County of Lichfield

Forget your sat-nav.

Make your way to the City and County of Lichfield using the Britania Britannia Depicta by John Owen and Emanuel Bowen, from about 1720. The full map Coventry to Lichfield can be found here at www.fromoldbooks.org.

On the bottom of the map it even describes the Sheriff's ride.

  • J. Snape, 'A Plan of the City and Close of Lichfield (1781)

    Lichfield Wikipedia Page

  • Lichfield had a lively coaching trade as a stop-off on the busy route between London and Chester from the 1650s onwards, making it Staffordshire's most prosperous town. In the 18th century, and then reaching its peak in the period from 1800 to 1840, the city thrived as a busy coaching city on the main routes from London to the north-west and Birmingham to the north-east.

    Google maps

  • Britannia Depicta (1720) www.fromoldbooks.org