The Hereford Map is a “Mappa Mundi”, or World Map, from the 1300s. It is found above The High Altar in Hereford Cathedral. The letters M-O-R-S (“death”) are encircling the Map, reminding the viewer of his mortality. The Map contains lots of mythological information of the depicted places, seen from a Christian perspective.
Photo: 30 October 2012.
Source: Own work.
Author: Bjoertvedt
(Wikimedia Commons)
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Though the Crypt is small, it is of special interest, as it is Gothic, rather than Norman. Its use as a Charnel House resulted in the name Golgotha.
The Library contains mainly old books in Manuscript, chained to their places, some of them fine specimens of ancient handwriting, containing beautiful illustrations in Gold and colour.
Two of the most valuable are a unique copy of the ancient Hereford Antiphonary of the 13th-Century, in good preservation, and the Hereford Gospels, a copy of the Gospels at least a thousand years old, in Anglo-Saxon characters.
Hereford Cathedral.
Date: 1896.
Subject:
Contributing Library:
Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/
Author: Bonney, Thomas George, 1833-1923
(Wikimedia Commons)
Another treasure is an ancient Reliquary of Oak, bequeathed to the Cathedral by Canon Russell, who is said to have obtained it from a Roman Catholic family in whose possession it had long been. It is covered with Copper Plates, overlaid with Limoges Enamel, representing the murder and entombment of Saint Thomas of Canterbury.
One of the cathedral’s treasures is the Hereford Mappa Mundi, dating from the later years of the 13th-Century. It is the work of an ecclesiastic who is supposed to be represented in the right-hand corner on horseback, attended by his Page and greyhounds.
He has commemorated himself under the name of Richard de Haldingham and Lafford in Lincolnshire, but his real name was Richard de la Battayle, or “de Bello”. He held a Prebendal Stall in Lincoln Cathedral, and was promoted to a Stall in Hereford in 1305.
Hereford Cathedral.
Date: 1836.
Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/
Authors: Winkles, Benjamin; Garland, Robert.
Architect: Moule, Thomas, 1784-1851,
(Wikimedia Commons)
During the troubled times of Cromwell, the Map was laid beneath the floor of Edmund Audley’s Chantry, beside The Lady Chapel, where it remained secreted for some time.
In 1855, it was cleaned and repaired at The British Museum. It is one of the most remarkable monuments of its kind in existence, being the largest, but one, of all the old maps, drawn on a single sheet of vellum.
In 1855, it was cleaned and repaired at The British Museum. It is one of the most remarkable monuments of its kind in existence, being the largest, but one, of all the old maps, drawn on a single sheet of vellum.
The World is represented as round, surround by the ocean. At the top of the Map (The East) is represented Paradise, with its river and tree; also, the eating of the forbidden fruit and the expulsion of Adam and Eve.
This window appears to show the Founding of Eton College (by King Henry VI), on the banks of The River Thames in the shadow of Windsor Castle. Eton College Chapel is visible. The Arms of Eton College are shown three times, together with the Royal Arms. The Seal of Eton College is at Left.
Text per www.geograph.org, Julian P Guffogg[1]: “Glass in the Stanbury Chapel, designed by Archibald Davies, given in 1923. The windows depict scenes from the life of John Stanbury, Confessor to King Henry VI and Bishop of Hereford in 1453. He assisted the King in his plans for Eton College and this is depicted in the window. The Left-Hand Light shows Angels around a lamp, above a book symbolising the spirit of learning. The next Light shows the Bishop planning the College with Henry VI and Windsor Castle in the background. The third Light shows Henry VI granting a Charter to the College. He is seated on a throne with his nobles in front of him. The final Lights show Eton College, with The River Thames and the Arms and Motto of the College.”
Photo: 3 January 2008.
Source: Own work.
Author: Mattana
(Wikimedia Commons)
On the Map, is a remarkable representation of The Day of Judgement, with The Virgin Mary interceding for the Faithful, who are seen rising from their graves and being led within the walls of heaven.
There are numerous figures of Towns, animals, birds, and fish, with grotesque creatures; the four great Cities, Jerusalem, Babylon, Rome, and Troy, are made very prominent. In Britain, most of the Cathedrals are mentioned.
In the 1980s, a financial crisis in the Diocese caused the Dean and Chapter to consider selling the Mappa Mundi. After much controversy, large donations from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, Paul Getty and members of the public, kept the Map in Hereford and allowed the construction of a new Library to house the Map and the Chained Libraries from the Cathedral and All Saints’ Church. The centre was opened on 3 May 1996.
PART TEN FOLLOWS.
Fascinating, thank you Zephyrinus.
ReplyDeleteIf anyone wants even more detail, and you could even download a PDF of the Hereford Cathedral Mappa Munda:
https://historywm.com/file/historywm/hereford-cathedrals-world-map-sarah-arrowsmith.pdf
Note by Dante P
Most grateful, Dante P. Thank You for your excellent contribution to this Article.
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