Londinum Feracissimi Angliae Regni Metropolis.

Very desirable and early plan of London - in a second state - shown from the Tower to Westminster, with the City already built-up and a ribbon development westwards along the Strand. On the south bank bull- and bear-baiting rings are prominent.
Although published in 1572, the plan is clearly based upon information gathered some years earlier. St Paul's is shown with its spire, which was destroyed in 1561, the cross in St Botolph's Churchyard is shown, although it was destroyed in 1559, and York Place, so named in 1557 is given its old name 'Suffolke Place'. Upon the Thames, the royal barge can be seen, together with numerous ferrymen and sailing vessels.
On the south bank of the river is the new district of Southwark, with its theatres, and bull and bear baiting pits. To the left is Westminster - connected to the City by a single road - with Westminster Abbey clearly visible. To the north of Westminster, cows are depicted grazing in open fields.
The second state with "West Muster" and no longer like in the first edition "West Mester".
The arms of Elizabeth are displayed in the top left hand corner and the arms of the city on the right.

From volume one of the greatest publication in this genre!. The Civitates was compiled and written by George Braun, Canon of Cologne Cathedral. Braun gathered together vast amounts of information and draft plans to produce over 500 city views/maps published in six parts between 1572 and 1617. Most of these engravings were made by Simon Novellanus and Frans Hogenberg, many after drawings by Joris Hoefnagel.

Read more about the Civitates Orbis.

Reference: Howgego, Printed maps of London, entry 2. Koeman (1967-70) B & H 1-5, cf. NMM III, i, 459 (1573-1618 ed.), cf. Phillips Atlases 59 (1612 edition), cf. Skelton 'Introduction', in: G. Braun and F. Hogenberg, Civitates orbis terrarum (Amsterdam: 1965). (2)