Map of Great Britain

Map of Great Britain

In the thirteenth century, a monk by the name of Matthew Paris entered the Abbey of St. Albans. During his time as a monk, he created many works of history with extensive illustrations, including several beautifully detailed maps of Great Britain. This map, showing all of Great Britain, highlights rivers and regions primarily. It is highly schematized, representing how people at the time perceived the terrain, as opposed to the geographic reality. Additionally, this map highlights the many towns and cities scattered throughout the British mainland, as well as cultural or political divisions. Hadrian’s Wall is displayed prominently, dividing Scotland from the rest of England.

Matthew Paris

British Library, Cotton MS Claudius D VI, Folio 12v.

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Matthew Paris, Four Maps of Great Britain, ed. J. P. Gilson. London: Oxford University Press, 1928.

13th Century

Special Collections, Carleton College, Northfield, MN.

www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/mapsviews/mapgb/large17694.html

Latin

Regional Map

Local