Introduction | Contents | Download as PDF (132mb)
<< Previous Next >>
Chapter 4
NUREMBERG CHRONICLE 1493
The invention of printing from movable type about the year 1450 was, without doubt, one of the major cultural milestones in the history of Europe. At last laborious transcription of manuscripts by hand could be dispensed with, and the new processes, combined with the spread of paper manufacture, made possible the reproduction of books in almost any quantity on any subject. It was an invention which represented a revolution in the intellectual opportunities available to ordinary people; apart from the Bible and sacred literature, scholars of the day compiled editions of the Greek and Latin classics, histories, dictionaries and textbooks of every kind, hitherto available only in church or monastic libraries. Although for a time there was considerable opposition from churchmen (who saw their grip on education being set aside) and from the old craft guilds (who feared the threat to their livelihood) it has been calculated that, by the end of the century, not far short of 10 million books, including over a hundred editions of the Bible had been printed.
In the story of printing Nuremberg plays a major part and soon became one of the most important and influential publishing centres. Although not founded until soon after the year 1000, the city's position at the meeting point of North-South and East-West trade routes in Central Europe, and its designation in the middle of the thirteenth century as an Imperial Free City, led to rapid growth in wealth and status.
By the fifteenth century it had become one of the great cultural centres of Europe, its scholars and craftsmen exercising powerful influence throughout the Continent, not only on the development of cartography but on scientific thought in general. Many famous scholars worked or lived there including Regiomontanus (Johann Muller), the astronomer; Johann Sch6ner, astronomer and globe maker; Hartmann Schedel, cosmographer and entrepreneur; Anton Koberger, master printer; Martin Behaim, cosmographer and globe maker; and Ehrhard Etzlaub, an instrument maker who produced a road map of Central Europe, the earliest printed map of its type. And, most important of all, Albrecht Durer who was born there in 1471.
Amongst all the magnificent books printed in the fifteenth century - which are known as incunables -one stands out as being the finest illustrated topographical work of the period: the Liber Chronicarum or Nuremberg Chronicle. Published by Hartmann Schedel and printed by Anton Koberger in July 1493 it contained a total of 1,809 woodcuts which include a Ptolemaic world map, a 'birds-eye' map of Europe and the first known printed view of an English town. These woodcuts were made by Michael Wohlgemut (Wolgemut) (1434-1519), and his son-in-law, Wilhelm Pleydenwurff. Wohlgemut was Durer's tutor between 1486 and 1490.
The print of 'Anglie Provincia' opposite was once thought to be a representation of Dover or even London but is now considered to be an illustration of a typically European city of the day and actually has a striking resemblance to the architecture of Nuremberg in 1493. The description accompanying the view (see translation below) is written in medieval Latin and includes the following: '. . . many say that the Kings and Princes of England and the Parliament of the people meet to this day with the merchants there'. This seems a clear implication that the authors were not sure of these facts and illustrates how remote London was from Nuremberg in medieval times.
Apart from its general interest as a very early descriptive topographical work, the Nuremberg Chronicle is also, by virtue of its date of publication, an historical document of the greatest importance. Issued seven months after Columbus landed in the New World, the Chronicle presents us with a 'last' view of the known medieval world as seen by the peoples of Western Europe. Within a few years new editions were being issued incorporating news of the successful Atlantic voyages and the discoveries on the American continent; discoveries which proved to be key factors in the complex problems of mapping the modern world as we know it.
The following is a translation of the Latin text accompanying the illustration of 'England' in early editions of the Chronicle:
Anglie Provincia
The island of England was originally called Albion after certain white mountains which were seen by those steering towards it; but was then named Britain perpetuating the name of a fierce son (Brutus) of Silvius, the last king of the Latins, who overcame the giants inhabiting the island. It was called 'Greater' (Great) Britain to distinguish it from the lesser Britain (Brittany) of France which adjoins it. Its present-day name of England is taken from a certain 'Anglus' who was a powerful king. England forms a triangle between North and West and is separated from the continent at all points, beginning near Germany in the North and extending alongside France and Spain towards the West. Solinus regarded the French shore as the limit of this world and the island of Britain almost as belonging to another. And Virgil thought of it as separated from the rest of the globe. But Brutus having decided to settle in England, immediately founded on the banks of the River Thames a city so well fortified that it recalled in all its forces the memory of ancient Troy. This Brutus is said to have had three sons; Locrinus, Albanetus and Camber and they divided the island amonst themselves. To Locrinus, the first horn, fell all of the centre of the kingdom, which later became known as Lochria after him, and his city of London is still greatly celebrated for its merchants and traders. And many say that the Kings and Princes of England and the Parliament of the people meet to this day with the merchants there. To the second son Albanetus fell another part of the island and this was called 'Albania', but nowadays Scocia (Scotland). This Scotland occupies the higher part of the island, which lies towards the North winds and is separated from England by some smallish rivers and a certain mountain range. The third son inherited Cambria, now called Thule, the districts to the North and West which were the last to be explored by the Romans and where, during the summer solstice, the sun passes only from the star of Cancer and there is thus no night; while during the winter there is no day. The greater part of the Island is fertile. It is surrounded by many other islands of some dimensions, the largest of them Hibemia (Ireland) which is divided from Britain by a narrow channel, and some smaller ones called the Orchades (Orkneys). The blessed Pope Gregory, second of this name, sent to Britain the monks Augustine of Miletus and John with other men of outstanding character and they first converted the English. Since then many of their kings have shone forth for their miracles. The dimensions of Britain are given by Pythies and Ysidore as 38,075 [square] miles, and in it are many fine rivers, besides large and varied supplies of metals. Its history is to be found best described in Bede.