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Hamilton - 'The Prospect of the Town of Hamilton'
Horsemen and hounds are hunting deer in the foreground of Slezer's view of Hamilton. The town spreads over almost the whole width of the prospect. It took its name from Hamilton Palace, home to the Hamilton family. Since the 1400s the palace was continuously being improved and renovated, until it was demolished in the 1920s. Slezer did his drawing shortly before one of those periods of renovation.
The printing plate is signed by Dutch engraver Van den Avele, whose name appears below the horseman on the right.
Image from Theatrum Scotiae by John Slezer, 1693.
To the Right Honourable James Earl of Arran, Eldest Son to the Duke of Hamilton, and Knight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle.
Hamilton is a Town of Lower Clidsdale, situated in a most pleasant Plain upon the Western Bank of the Clyde. Its Chief Ornament is the Palace of the Duke of Hamilton, the Court whereof is on all Quarters adorned with most noble Buildings; Especially the Frontispiece looking toward the East, is of excellent Workman-ship; and has a majnificent Avenue. Upon the One Hand of this Avenue, there is a Hedge, and on the other, fair large Gardens, abundantly furnished with Fruit-Trees, and pleasant Flowers of all Sorts.
Upon the West side of the Town there is a large Park, surrounded with a very high Stone Wall, which is about Seven Miles in Circuit; the Brook Aven running through it.
This Park is also famous for its Forest of Tall Oaks, and for the great Number of Harts and Buffles it abounds with.
There is a Church adjacent to the Palace, in the Vaults whereof is the Burial Place of the Dukes of Hamilton.
