Geography & local history · Classroom resource
Chichester: Norden’s bird’s-eye view.
Compare John Norden’s view of Chichester with a modern street map.
Drag the dividing line, or use the slider below. With the slider selected, use the arrow keys to make smaller changes.
1595Today
Today only1595 only
Using the comparison
Norden’s map is a bird’s-eye view, showing buildings in perspective rather than as a measured overhead plan. It has been georeferenced using a polynomial transformation: the image is warped to align selected locations with the modern map. Alignment is approximate, so a mismatch does not necessarily indicate historical change.
Look closely
- Which roads or landmarks can you recognise in both views?
- Where has the settlement or landscape changed most?
- Which differences might come from the way the map or photograph was made?
Maps and credits
Historical view: John Norden’s map of Chichester, labelled 1595 in the original resource. Modern basemap: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).