This antique map, created in 1665, is titled ‘Glottiana Praefectura Inferior…’. Translated from Latin, this means ‘Lower Clydesdale’. The map depicts an area in Scotland that includes East Kilbride, Motherwell, and Larkhall, which are located centrally.
In the early 17th Century, the United Kingdom was a relatively young nation, having been formed in 1603 with the union of Scotland and England under King James VI and I. The country was still largely rural, with agriculture being the primary industry. The population was growing, but slowly, and major cities like London were still relatively small compared to today. The country was also undergoing religious upheaval, with tensions between Protestants and Catholics still running high. Overall, the United Kingdom in the early 17th Century was a nation in transition, with both challenges and opportunities ahead.