Download library
Downloadable resources
High-resolution county maps, standards and reference documents from the Historic Counties Institute.
This page brings the current downloadable material together in one place. Further educational, presentation and display resources can be added here as they are produced.
Current library
Maps, standards and reference documents
Use the current editions below. Superseded versions remain in the site archive but are not listed here.
Poster map
Britain and Ireland Historic Counties
A high-resolution A0 poster showing all 118 historic counties of Britain and Ireland, available as a PNG image or printable PDF.
County formation research
Formation of England’s historic counties
Three presentation styles based on HCI research into working dates for creation or clear attestation as shires or counties. Most English counties were already shires or counties before 1066.
Reference edition
Four-stage reference poster
A clean reference layout showing the four broad formation groups, key attestations, evidence and the 700–1200 timeline.
Exhibition edition
Editorial display poster
A more spacious display treatment of the same research, designed for exhibitions, presentations and large-format printing.
Heritage edition
Detailed heritage poster
A more decorative version with fuller county-by-county working dates and a stronger emphasis on the documentary sources behind them.
County formation research
Foundation periods of Scotland’s historic counties
Two presentation styles based on the best-confirmed emergence periods supported by earliest secure sheriffdom or county evidence. In Scotland these are not always exact single “foundation dates”.
Exhibition edition
Editorial display poster
A spacious display version grouping the counties into four best-confirmed emergence periods from the twelfth to the seventeenth centuries.
Reference edition
Four-period reference poster
A clean four-column reference treatment showing the county groupings, later dated examples and the 1100–1700 emergence timeline.
County identity
County flag posters
Downloadable reference posters bringing the registered county flags together in a clear display format.
Great Britain
The County Flags of Great Britain
A single-sheet reference poster showing the 56 county flags listed in the Flag Institute UK Flag Registry. Registry checked 10 October 2026; artwork supplied by RealCounties.
England
The County Flags of England
A single-sheet reference poster showing the 39 county flags listed in the Flag Institute UK Flag Registry. Registry checked 10 October 2026; artwork supplied by RealCounties.
County standard
Historic Counties Standard
The HCI standard defining the names, extents and boundaries of the historic counties used by RealCounties.
Boundary comparisons
Administrative and electoral areas compared with the historic counties
These reference documents compare current council and constituency areas with the RealCounties geographic county boundaries.
Local government
Council Areas and Historic Counties
Current Great Britain council areas mapped against the RealCounties geographic county boundaries.
Westminster
House of Commons Constituencies and Historic Counties
Current Westminster constituency areas mapped against the RealCounties geographic county boundaries.
Scottish Parliament
Scottish Parliament Constituencies and Historic Counties
Scottish Parliament constituency areas mapped against the RealCounties geographic county boundaries.
Senedd
Senedd Constituencies and Historic Counties
Current Senedd constituency areas mapped against the RealCounties geographic county boundaries.
Looking for the evidence?
Use Evidence & Sources for research and verification.
Evidence & Sources brings together the legislation, official statements, census material, mapping evidence and source methodology behind the county framework.
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