Mirror of the World: Literature, Maps, and Geographic Writing in Late Medieval and Early Modern England

In the late 15th century, the production of print editions of Claudius Ptolemy's second-century Geography sparked a significant intellectual development, leading to the production of mathematically-based, north-oriented maps. However, England's world maps were notably absent during this revival, obscuring the impact of Ptolemy's text on English geographical thought. This study traces English geographical thought through literary and popular texts, providing evidence for the reception and transmission of Ptolemaic-based geography in England during a critical period of geographic innovation and synthesis. It suggests a new interdisciplinary literary and cartographic history of the influence of Ptolemaic geography in England, revealing the lively integration of geographic concepts through narrative and non-cartographic visual forms.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 292 pages
Publication date: 09 January 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

In the late 15th century, the production of print editions of Claudius Ptolemy's second-century Geography ignited a significant intellectual development that revolutionized the field of cartography. This revival of Ptolemaic knowledge led to the creation of mathematically-based, north-oriented maps, marking a profound shift in geographical understanding. However, England's contribution to this era was notably absent, leading to speculation about English indifference or isolation from European geographic advancements. This study aims to uncover the reception and transmission of Ptolemaic-based geography in England during a critical period of geographic innovation and synthesis. By examining a range of literary and popular texts, including prose romance, book illustrations, theatrical performances, cosmological ceilings, and almanacs, Mirror of the World offers a new interdisciplinary literary and cartographic history of Ptolemaic geography's influence in England. Through narrative and non-cartographic visual forms, this study demonstrates the lively integration of geographic concepts, revealing the profound impact of Ptolemaic ideas on the development of English geographical thought.

In the late 15th century, the production of print editions of Claudius Ptolemy's second-century Geography ignited a significant intellectual development that revolutionized the field of cartography. This revival of Ptolemaic knowledge led to the creation of mathematically-based, north-oriented maps, marking a profound shift in geographical understanding. However, England's contribution to this era was notably absent, leading to speculation about English indifference or isolation from European geographic advancements. This study aims to uncover the reception and transmission of Ptolemaic-based geography in England during a critical period of geographic innovation and synthesis. By examining a range of literary and popular texts, including prose romance, book illustrations, theatrical performances, cosmological ceilings, and almanacs, Mirror of the World offers a new interdisciplinary literary and cartographic history of Ptolemaic geography's influence in England. Through narrative and non-cartographic visual forms, this study demonstrates the lively integration of geographic concepts, revealing the profound impact of Ptolemaic ideas on the development of English geographical thought.

Weight: 566g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367560584