The Hereford Mappa Mundi, created in the early 14th century, is one of the most significant and well-preserved medieval cartographic artifacts. It is a representation of the world as it was understood by theologians and scholars of the time, blending religious belief with geographical knowledge. This intricate map, housed in Hereford Cathedral in England, serves as a testament to the synthesis of the Christian worldview with the geographical knowledge available during the Middle Ages.
The Hereford Mappa Mundi is a large, circular map, approximately 2.25 meters (7.38 ft) in diameter, drawn on a single calf skin parchment. It was likely created around 1300 AD by an unknown cartographer under the supervision of Richard of Haldingham, the bishop of Hereford. The map is oriented with East at the top, in a form deriving from the T and O pattern, a common practice in medieval Christian cartography that reflected the belief in the eastward location of the Garden of Eden and central location of the holy city of Jerusalem.
The map’s geographical content is derived from a variety of sources, including the works of ancient geographers such as Ptolemy and Isidore of Seville, biblical texts, and medieval travelers’ accounts. However, the primary objective of the Hereford Mappa Mundi was not to serve as a practical navigational tool but rather to convey religious and symbolic messages. This is evident in its layout, which is heavily influenced by the Christian concept of a tiered universe with Jerusalem at the center and the known world organized around it.
The map is divided into three continents: Asia, Africa, and Europe, which are separated by the rivers Don, Nile, and Tanais. These continents correspond to the three sons of Noah from the biblical narrative of the Flood: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
At the center of the map, encircled by the landmasses, is the city of Jerusalem, emphasizing its spiritual significance in the Christian tradition. The map also includes depictions of the Garden of Eden, the Tower of Babel, and the Red Sea, among other biblical locations, all situated in Asia.
The Hereford Mappa Mundi is rich in illustrations and annotations that provide insight into medieval Christian thought. For example, the map features a large image of Christ enthroned in the top right corner, symbolizing his dominion over the world. The figures of the twelve apostles are placed at various points around the circumference, each associated with a zodiac sign and a wind, emphasizing the spread of the Christian faith to the four corners of the earth. The land of the Islamic and pagan territories, are depicted as a barren and monster-filled region, highlighting the contemporary European view of the religious ‘Other’.
Moreover, the map incorporates numerous illustrations of mythical creatures and exotic lands drawn from the writings of ancient authorities and medieval bestiaries. These include the legendary Prester John’s realm in Asia, which was believed to be a Christian kingdom surrounded by Muslim lands, and the island of Taprobane (present-day Sri Lanka), known for its alleged giant inhabitants and exotic animals. These elements reflect the medieval fascination with the marvelous and the exotic, as well as the desire to reconcile the known world with biblical and classical texts.
The map’s creation coincided with the period of intense religious and political upheaval, including the Crusades and the expansion of the Mongol Empire. This context is reflected in the map’s depiction of the known world, which extends to include Asia and the Middle East, regions of significant interest to European Christians at the time. The inclusion of the Mongols and the Great Khan on the map suggests an awareness of the shifting global power dynamics and the potential threats and opportunities posed by these distant lands.
The Hereford Mappa Mundi also reflects the scholastic tradition of the time, which sought to reconcile Christian doctrine with classical knowledge. The map is thus not merely a representation of the world but a complex intellectual artifact that encapsulates the medieval synthesis of faith and reason. It exemplifies the era’s quest for a universal understanding of the cosmos and the divine order that governed it.
The map’s preservation over the centuries is a testament to its historical and cultural importance. It has been digitized and studied extensively, allowing modern scholars to gain a deeper understanding of medieval cartography and the ways in which Christian thought influenced the perception and representation of the world. The map is also a valuable educational tool, providing insights into the medieval mindset and the evolution of geographical knowledge.
In conclusion, the Hereford Mappa Mundi is a fascinating artifact that combines religious symbolism with the geographic knowledge of the Middle Ages. It not only offers a glimpse into the medieval understanding of the world but also underscores the profound impact of Christianity on the intellectual and cultural landscape of Europe during this period. As a piece of art, a religious statement, and a historical document, the Hereford Mappa Mundi remains a significant and intriguing testament to the era that produced it.
Locations on the Hereford Mappa Mundi
Note: the Map is oriented with East at the top.
0 – Center of the map: Jerusalem, above it: the crucifix.
1 – Garden of Eden, surrounded by a fortress and a ring of fire.
2 – The Ganges and its delta.
3 – Iisland of Taphana, sometimes interpreted as Sri Lanka or Sumatra.
4 – Rivers Indus and Tigris.
5 – The Caspian Sea, and the Land of Gog and Magog
6 – Babylon and the Euphrates.
7 – The Persian Gulf.
8 – The Red Sea (painted in red).
9 – Noah’s Ark.
10 – The Dead Sea, Sodom and Gomorrah, with the River Jordan, coming from the Sea of Galilee; above: Lot’s wife.
11 – Egypt with the River Nile.
12 – The River Nile, possibly the Antipodes.
13 – The Azov Sea with rivers Don and Dnieper; above: the Golden Fleece.
14 – Constantinople; left of it the Danube’s delta.
15 – The Aegean Sea.16 – Oversized delta of the Nile with Alexandria’s Pharos lighthouse.
17 – The legendary Norwegian Gansmir, with his skis and ski pole.
18 – Greece with Mount Olympus, Athens and Corinth
19 – Misplaced Crete with the Minotaur’s circular labyrinth.
20 – The Adriatic Sea; Italy with Rome, honoured by a popular Latin hexameter; Roma caput mundi tenet orbis frena rotundi (“Rome, the head of the world, holds the reins of the round globe”).
21 – Sicily and Carthage, opposing Rome, right of it.
22 – Scotland.
23 – England.
24 – Ireland.
25 – The Balearic Islands.
26 – The Strait of Gibraltar (the Pillars of Hercules).
Sources:
- Harvey, P. D. A. (2006). The Hereford World Map: Medieval World Views in a New Millennium. University of Texas Press.
- Kain, Roger JP, and Elizabeth Bailey. The Cistercians and the geography of medieval Europe: Studies dedicated to the memory of Jean-Loup Viollet. Boydell Press, 2006.
- McClure, Scott. “The Hereford Map: A New Interpretation.” Imago Mundi, vol. 45, no. 2, 1993, pp. 130-150. JSTOR, JSTOR, www.jstor.org
