Description:
Described as a 'Prospect of Margidunum from Wells hill' and dated 1722, in modern terms this is the view along the Foss Way (A46) looking northwards just to the south of Willoughby on the Wolds. The former Roman road dips down in the middle distance to cross the Willoughby Brook (seemingly by a ford) before rising again to Cross Hill, later the site of the Willoughby Hotel (replaced in recent times by the modern North Leicester Hotel and Conference Centre). In the left background the spire of St Mary's Church at Willoughby is marked, while to one side of that a second spire probably belongs to Holy Trinity at Wysall. Today the road is a dual carriageway but the scene depicted here is still recognisable.
Two other references on the original engraving should be considered as 'red herrings'. Firstly, the engraving was done as an illustration for a book and the inscription 'To Face NETHER BROUGHTON' is merely a reference to the picture's position within that volume. Secondly, the reference to Margidunum is a mistake as this Roman town and fortification is now known to have been located further north at East Bridgford; the encampment at Willoughby was Vernometum.
The artist, William Stukeley (1687-1765) was an Anglican clergyman and antiquarian. Elisha Kirkall (1682?-1742) who undertook the copperplate engraving of this view was born in Sheffield, the son of a locksmith, from whom he learnt to work and engrave on metal.