In a Circle—The Hereford Map as a ‘Cosmic Clock’
Maria Magdalena Morawiecka
ABSTRACTThis article presents an alternative approach to reading the temporal layer of medieval mappaemundi by comparing its shape that a sundial rather than superimposing vertical chronological axis on map. The possible uses introducing such analogy are discussed with regard late thirteenth-century Hereford world While this does not seek override established findings, it argues adding new interpretation existing research could potentially enrich our understanding ties between time and space in cartography.Dans un cercle—La carte de comme ‘horloge cosmique’Cet propose une nouvelle interprétation du contenu temporel d’une mappemonde médiévale en comparant sa forme à celle d’un cadran solaire plutôt qu’en lui superposant axe chronologique vertical. Les possibles avantages l’introduction telle analogie sont discutés ce qui concerne la fin XIIIe siècle. Sans prétendre remplacer les résultats établis par recherche, l’article soutient que l’ajout cette pourrait potentiellement enrichir notre compréhension des liens entre le temps et l’espace dans cartographie médiévale.Im Kreis—die Hereford-Karte als ‘Kosmische Uhr’In dem Beitrag wird eine Möglichkeit angeboten, die Zeitebene einer mittelalterlichen Karte zu lesen: anstatt vertikale chronologische Abfolge anzunehmen, Form der mit Sonnenuhr verglichen. Die Anwendungsmöglichkeiten solchen Analogie werden für das späte 13. Jahrhundert am Beispiel dargestellt. Autorin möchte dieser Interpretationsmöglichkeit nicht bestehenden Erkenntnisse bestreiten, sondern vielmehr neue Sicht hinzufügen, um Verbindungen von Zeit und Raum Karten vielfältigerer Weise verstehen.En círculo—el mapa como ‘reloj cósmico’Este artículo presenta enfoque alternativo para leer capa mapamundi medieval, partir comparación su forma con reloj sol, lugar superponer eje cronológico el mapa. Los posibles usos instrucción esta analogía se proponen relación finales del siglo XIII. Aunque este no pretende invalidar las conclusiones ya establecidas, sostiene añadir nueva interpretación investigación existente podría enriquecer potencialmente nuestra comprensión los vínculos tiempo y espacio cartografía medieval.KEYWORDS: cartographymappamundiHereford maphistory cartographyMiddle Agessundialspatial-temporalvisual historyrotaecosmic clockhistoria sacra. Disclosure statementno potential conflict interest was reported author.Notes1 As David Woodward says, information mappamundi is ‘a projection history onto geographical framework’. Woodward, ‘Medieval mappaemundi’, History Cartography, vol. 1: Cartography Prehistoric, Ancient Medieval Europe Mediterranean, ed. J. B. Harley (Chicago, University Chicago Press, 1987), 326. For further see Jerry Brotton, A World Twelve Maps (London, Penguin Books, 2012), 102–9; Evelyn Edson, Mapping Time Space: How Mapmakers Viewed Their British Library, 1998), especially 139–44; ‘The view: contemplating mappamundi’, Compass 8–9 (2010): 507–8.2 This based idea I briefly developed my unpublished doctoral thesis, Średniowieczne imago mundi. Aksjosemiotyczna analiza mapy świata z katedry w (Medieval Imago Mundi. Axiosemiotic Analysis Map from Cathedral) (University Wrocław, 2016).3 Among others, (note 1), 102–3, 107; Space 144.4 See Jack Keilo, Map, Jerusalem Again as Centre Translatio Imperii, 04 June 2014 (Centrici, https://centrici.hypotheses.org/584), accessed 9 2021. presence theme also mentioned (see note 103–6; view’ 508.5 Naomi Reed Kline, Wheel Memory: Mappa Mundi (Ann Arbor, Michigan 2001), CD-ROM.6 Jacques Le Goff, Time, Work Culture Middle Ages 1980), 48–49.7 convenience, shall be using horizontal for reference, only because fairly simple has been known since Antiquity (in crudest form consist element plate drawn around it), but visually more similar mappamundi, which makes suitable purposes exercise. Therefore, 12 o’clock would, case, mean noon sundial, same point would mark midnight, is, course, if lack sunlight night time).8 Asa Mittman, Monsters England (New York, Routledge, 2006), 50.9 Katarzyna Zalewska-Lorkiewicz claims depictions exotic tribes, particularly monstrous races, constitute biggest group images among topics present illustrated general. Marina Münkler cites feature maps main reason factoring their dismissal modern historians: ‘another—the factor—was frequent depiction mappae mundi … people. all world, they were almost never absent borders any merely presenting T-O scheme furnished many cartographic illustrations. reason, historians cartography have long considered deeply deficient ’. respectively Zalewska-Lorkiewicz, Ilustrowane jako obraz świata. i początek okresu nowożytnego (Warszawa, DiG, 1997), 119; Münkler, ‘Experiencing strangeness: people edge Earth depicted mundi’, Journal 5 (2002): 195–222, at 195–96.10 8); strangeness’ 9), 195–222; John Block Friedman, Monstrous Races Art Thought (Cambridge, Harvard 1981).11 It one map’s curiosities includes dog-headed tribe twice, two different spots, following literary traditions. According Scott D. Westrem, notion dog-heads living far-eastern near India, can traced back far Cresias (early fifth century bc) probably fused story Indian giants common descriptions adventures Alexander Great. location Fig. 3, no. 3) Pliny Isidore Seville, others. northern-European placement (no. 8, Cynocephales) follows Aethicus Ister. detailed Map. Transcription Translation Legends Commentary (Turnhout, Brepols, 40 (legend 80), 186 442). second fascinating so-called Epistola cynocephalis (Letter dog-heads), 9th-century text Ratramnus Corbie, he answers missionary’s question whether rumoured live Scandinavia evangelized. English translation letter, Paul Edward Dutton, Carolingian Civilization: Reader, 2nd (Peterborough, Ontario: Broadview 2004), 452–55. All legends map quoted (op. cit.). features described legends: Griste, legend 443, p. 187; Turks Terraconta: ‘the lineage Gog Magog, barbarous filthy who eat flesh youths miscarried fetuses’, 302, 137; Scitotauri, 308, 139; Scithari (Scythians): ‘Their customs [even] fiercer. They caves; make drinking cups out heads enemies (not friends, Essendones do). love combat’, 306, Essendones: Scythia here, whose custom accompany parents’ funerals songs and, having assembled tear into bodies teeth solemn feast animal meat mixed human flesh, believing honorable consumed each other worms’, 212, 101.12 ‘This believed river hell, enters sea boiling, cascading Umbrosi mountains, here gapes mouth Gehenna, said’. Quoted 11), 213, 101. Inclusi curiously mirroring drawing dragons southeastern quarter Asia (Fig. 4).13 141–142, pp. 69–71.14 Ibid., 94, 47. Westrem notes, name ‘Scythia’ treated quite loosely writers. On map, several times relation tribes locations, leads conclude case specific ‘synonymous northern Asia’ explicit ‘units’ ‘apportioned ethnic groups found throughout north’ (commentary 40, 22).15 analysing these happy, self-sufficient races both Ebstorf maps, spatial proximity paradise constitutes symbolic linkage: contented, peaceful, apparently untouched original sin, represented paradisiacal life-forms, making loss earthly consequences within terrestrial sphere visible’ (Münkler, 220).16 adorned drawings border, including crowning scene Last Judgement, discuss them consider illustrations beyond rim separate issue deserving own article, need draw focus entirely contexts. readings topic see, example, Valerie I. Flint, map: author(s), scenes border’, Transactions Royal Historical Society, 6th ser., 8:8 (1988): 19–44.17 Vanitas (vanity, emptiness, futility). reference biblical phrase vanitatum omnia vanitas (‘Vanity vanities, vanity’; Ecclesiastes 1:2; 12:8), motif art literature emphasizes ephemerality life fleeting nature pleasures. Works focused usually highly symbolic.18 Summa genre serves didactic purposes. summa (or summula—a sum or total) intended compendium providing summary field’s knowledge even serve kind encyclopaedia.Additional informationNotes contributorsMaria Magdalena Morawiecka▸ Dr Maria Morawiecka freelance academic.
Imago Mundi