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The manuscript paper map of Lancashire in Lord Burghley's Atlas is generally dated to c.1590 and is widely regarded as having been produced in the aftermath of the Armada. It is also assumed to have been concerned primarily with national security, especially with regard to the continued Catholicism of the Lancashire gentry. The map is now argued to be a copy of a vellum original constructed probably in Lancashire c.1576–1577. It was subsequently amended by Lord Burghley, and a paper copy was commissioned and kept by him. The evidence for attributing this copy to 1577–1579 is considered. Burghley made numerous corrections and annotations to the paper map, which may date from any time before his death in 1598, and which are by no means restricted to crosses allegedly noting recusants. The cartographical significance of the original vellum map lies in its being a uniquely detailed pre-Saxton exposition of the gentry, administration, religious provision and architecture of a county. The use of astronomical signs on a map to denote market days is unusual. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]