ALSATIA INFERIOR – ALSACE – GERMANY – 1633

Cartographer: Gerard Mercator
Publisher: Henricus Hondius
Price: £150 (post-free in the UK)
Publication Date: 1633
Edition: Not stated
Format: Copper engraving
Condition: In good condition, unframed
Sheet Size: 56.4cm x 46.6cm

Condition:

Central fold line. Old hand-colouring. Age-spots and toning, most of which is confined to the margins. Reverse is printed in Latin with age toning and minor marks to the edges. Old tab marks. Minor nicks and wear to the edges. In good overall condition.

Location: Map Drawer C: FS: Folder M2000 002548

Alsace in the Early 17th Century: A Short History

Alsace, a region in present-day eastern France bordering the Rhine River, was a critical geopolitical and cultural area during the early 17th century. Its strategic location between France and the Holy Roman Empire made it a focal point of political rivalries, economic activity, and religious conflicts. This period was marked by significant transformation, setting the stage for the turbulent decades that would follow.

Geography and Political Structure

In the early 17th century, Alsace was part of the Holy Roman Empire but comprised a mosaic of independent and semi-autonomous entities. These included:

• Free Imperial Cities: Strasbourg, Colmar, and Mulhouse were prominent free cities with significant autonomy and economic influence.
• Ecclesiastical Territories: The region hosted a number of bishoprics and abbeys, including the Bishopric of Strasbourg and the Abbey of Murbach.
• Noble Estates: Numerous fiefdoms and territories were governed by local noble families, many of whom owed allegiance to the Emperor.

Alsace’s decentralised structure meant it lacked a unified administration, which made it vulnerable to external influence, particularly from France and neighbouring German principalities.

Religious Landscape

The early 17th century was a time of intense religious division in Alsace, reflecting broader European conflicts between Catholics and Protestants. The Peace of Augsburg (1555) had allowed regions within the Holy Roman Empire to choose between Catholicism and Lutheranism, and Alsace was split:

• Protestant Dominance in Cities: Cities like Strasbourg and Mulhouse had embraced Lutheranism during the Reformation. These urban centres became hubs of Protestant intellectual and cultural life.
• Catholic Strongholds: Rural areas, particularly those under ecclesiastical rule, remained predominantly Catholic. Monasteries and abbeys played a key role in maintaining Catholic traditions.

This religious diversity often led to tension and competition for influence between Catholic and Protestant factions, which would escalate during the Thirty Years’ War.

Economy and Society

Alsace in the early 17th century was an economically prosperous region, benefiting from its fertile lands and strategic location on trade routes.

Agriculture

• The fertile plains of Alsace supported extensive agriculture, including wheat, rye, and vineyards. Wine production, particularly in the foothills of the Vosges Mountains, was a cornerstone of the local economy.
• Rural life was organised around villages and small towns, with peasants working the land under a mix of feudal obligations and emerging market-driven systems.

Trade and Commerce

• The Rhine River was a major artery for trade, connecting Alsace to the rest of Europe. Goods such as wine, textiles, and timber were exported to German states, the Low Countries, and beyond.
• Strasbourg, as a free imperial city, was a vital commercial hub, its wealth derived from trade, craftsmanship, and financial services.

Urban Life

• Cities were centres of economic and intellectual activity. Artisans, merchants, and scholars contributed to a vibrant urban culture, which blended Germanic and French influences.

The Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648): Emerging Tensions

The early 17th century saw the brewing of tensions that would erupt into the Thirty Years’ War, one of Europe’s most devastating conflicts. Alsace was strategically positioned between the warring factions of the Catholic Habsburgs and the Protestant states of the Holy Roman Empire, as well as their external allies such as France and Sweden.

Early Effects on Alsace

• Militarisation: The region’s strategic importance led to the fortification of key cities and towns in anticipation of conflict.
• Religious Polarisation: The competing interests of Catholic and Protestant rulers exacerbated local tensions, with cities like Strasbourg aligning with Protestant states while rural areas leaned towards Catholic allegiances.
• Economic Strains: Trade routes through Alsace became vulnerable to disruption as military tensions increased, affecting local economies.

By the outbreak of the war in 1618, Alsace was already a fragmented and contested region, making it a prime target for armies seeking control over the Rhine corridor.

French Influence and Ambitions

Although Alsace was still part of the Holy Roman Empire in the early 17th century, France had long sought to expand its influence in the region. French interests were driven by:

• Strategic Objectives: Control of Alsace would secure France’s eastern border along the Rhine and provide a buffer against Habsburg expansion.
• Economic Interests: The wealth of Alsace’s cities and agricultural production made it an attractive target for annexation.
• Religious Alignment: As a Catholic power, France found common ground with Alsatian Catholics, though its intervention was often more politically than religiously motivated.

France’s involvement in Alsace would intensify later in the century, particularly during the later stages of the Thirty Years’ War.

Culture and Intellectual Life

Despite its political and religious divisions, Alsace maintained a rich cultural and intellectual life in the early 17th century.

Education and Scholarship

• Strasbourg was a centre of learning, with its university attracting students and scholars from across Europe. It became a focal point for Protestant theological debate and humanist studies.
• Catholic institutions also promoted education, with Jesuit schools playing a significant role in the counter-reformation efforts.

Art and Architecture

• Alsatian art and architecture during this period reflected a blend of Gothic, Renaissance, and early Baroque styles. Churches, town halls, and private residences showcased the region’s artistic vibrancy.
• The influence of both Germanic and French traditions created a unique cultural identity.

Conclusion

Alsace in the early 17th century was a region of contrasts and complexities. Its decentralised political structure, religious diversity, and economic vitality made it a microcosm of the broader conflicts and transformations sweeping through Europe. Positioned at the crossroads of French and Germanic worlds, Alsace was a dynamic and contested region, whose fortunes would be shaped by the epoch-defining events of the Thirty Years’ War and the increasing ambitions of neighbouring powers.

Gerard Mercator (1512–1594): A Short Biography

Gerard Mercator, born Gerard de Kremer on 5 March 1512 in Rupelmonde, in the County of Flanders (now Belgium), was a pioneering cartographer, geographer, and mathematician whose innovations revolutionised the way the world was mapped and navigated. Best known for the creation of the Mercator Projection, Mercator’s work laid the foundation for modern cartography, blending scientific precision with artistic excellence.

Early Life and Education

Mercator grew up in a modest family in Flanders, an intellectual hub during the European Renaissance. After his father’s death, he was sent to live with an uncle, who ensured he received a good education. He later attended the University of Leuven, where he studied under renowned mathematicians and scholars, excelling in geography, astronomy, and mathematics.

At Leuven, Mercator became proficient in the use of mathematical instruments and celestial observation, skills that would underpin his cartographic achievements. He was particularly influenced by the humanist traditions of the Renaissance, which emphasised classical learning and the rediscovery of ancient texts.

Career Beginnings

Mercator began his career as an engraver and instrument maker, crafting globes, astrolabes, and celestial spheres. His skill in engraving quickly set him apart, and he gained a reputation as one of the finest craftsmen in Europe. By the 1530s, he had started producing maps, blending his mathematical expertise with his artistic talent.

In 1537, Mercator published his first major work, a map of Palestine. This was followed by a detailed map of the world in 1538 and a map of Flanders in 1540, which established him as a leading cartographer of his time.

The Mercator Projection

One of Mercator’s most enduring contributions to cartography was the development of the Mercator Projection, introduced in 1569. This cylindrical map projection allowed navigators to plot straight-line courses across the globe, a significant advancement for maritime navigation.

Key Features of the Mercator Projection:

• Conformal Mapping: The projection preserves angles and shapes, making it particularly useful for navigation.
• Distortion: While it accurately represents small areas, the projection distorts size and scale near the poles, making regions like Greenland appear much larger than they are.
• Revolutionary Impact: The projection became the standard for nautical charts and remains in use for navigation to this day.

Contributions to Cartography

Mercator’s achievements extended beyond the projection that bears his name. He produced maps, atlases, and globes that combined geographic accuracy with artistic beauty. His work was notable for its integration of classical knowledge with contemporary discoveries, reflecting the Renaissance spirit of exploration and learning.

Major Works:

• Atlas: In 1595, Mercator published the first modern atlas, titled Atlas, Sive Cosmographicae Meditationes de Fabrica Mundi et Fabricati Figura (Atlas, or Cosmographic Meditations on the Creation of the Universe and the Universe as Created). This collection of maps included geographical, historical, and cosmographical content, setting the template for future atlases.
• Globes and Celestial Maps: Mercator was a skilled globe maker, producing terrestrial and celestial globes that were prized for their accuracy and craftsmanship.
• Regional Maps: He created detailed maps of Europe and individual regions, such as the British Isles and the Holy Land.

Challenges and Legacy

Despite his brilliance, Mercator faced significant challenges during his lifetime. In 1544, he was arrested and imprisoned for heresy, likely due to his Protestant beliefs and associations with reformist scholars. Although he was released after seven months, this episode underscored the precarious nature of intellectual life during the Reformation.

Mercator’s legacy is immense. His innovations in mapmaking transformed navigation, allowing explorers and traders to traverse the globe with greater confidence. His atlases and maps provided a comprehensive view of the known world, influencing the development of geography as a scientific discipline.

Personal Life and Death

Mercator married Barbara Schellekens in 1534, and the couple had six children. He was deeply religious, and his faith informed much of his work, particularly his attempts to reconcile scientific discoveries with biblical accounts of the world.

Mercator died on 2 December 1594 in Duisburg, where he had spent the latter part of his life. His contributions to cartography continued to influence generations of mapmakers, and his name remains synonymous with innovative and precise mapmaking.

Conclusion

Gerard Mercator was a towering figure of the Renaissance, whose work bridged the gap between classical traditions and modern scientific inquiry. His Mercator Projection and pioneering atlases revolutionised the way the world was understood and navigated, leaving a legacy that endures to this day. Through his dedication to precision and creativity, Mercator not only mapped the world but also reshaped humanity’s understanding of it.

Henricus Hondius (1597-1651): A Short Biography

Henricus Hondius, born in 1597 in Amsterdam, was a prominent Dutch cartographer, engraver, and publisher during the Dutch Golden Age. He was part of a renowned family of cartographers, inheriting and expanding the legacy established by his father, Jodocus Hondius I, who had gained fame for his work on the Mercator-Hondius Atlas. Henricus played a pivotal role in advancing cartographic practices and producing maps that reflected the growing geographical knowledge of the 17th century.

Early Life and Family Legacy

Henricus was the second son of Jodocus Hondius I, a cartographer and engraver known for reviving and publishing the maps of Gerard Mercator. The elder Hondius had established a highly successful cartographic business in Amsterdam, positioning the family as leaders in the field. Henricus grew up immersed in the art and science of mapmaking, gaining skills in engraving, geography, and publishing from an early age.

After Jodocus Hondius I’s death in 1612, the family business was managed by Henricus, his elder brother Jodocus II, and their brother-in-law, Johannes Janssonius. Together, they continued to publish and expand the Mercator-Hondius Atlas, which combined the maps of Mercator with original enhancements. Initially published under Jodocus Hondius Sr.’s name, the atlas began bearing Henricus’s name as sole publisher after 1619.

Independent Work and Collaborations

In 1621, Henricus established his own publishing house in Amsterdam, further cementing his reputation in the cartographic world. By 1628, he had entered into a partnership with Johannes Janssonius. This collaboration led to significant developments in the production and expansion of the Mercator-Hondius Atlas, which became one of the most influential atlases of the time. From 1633 onwards, both names appeared as co-publishers on new editions.

The atlas underwent continuous updates, incorporating new discoveries and refining existing maps. Over the years, more than 50 editions were published in multiple languages, making the atlas widely accessible to scholars, traders, and explorers across Europe.

Key Contributions

Henricus Hondius is best known for his meticulous craftsmanship, innovative cartographic techniques, and integration of the latest geographical knowledge. Among his most significant works is the 1630 world map titled Nova Totius Terrarum Orbis Geographica ac Hydrographica Tabula. This map is notable for several reasons:

• Depiction of California as an Island: Reflecting a widespread cartographic misconception of the era, the map presents California as an island, a feature that became iconic in early modern cartography.
• Inclusion of Dutch Discoveries: The map incorporates recent Dutch explorations, particularly along the northern coast of Australia, demonstrating the influence of Dutch voyages in expanding geographical understanding.
• Artistic and Scientific Precision: The map combined aesthetic appeal with precise geographic details, making it both a scientific resource and a collector’s item.

Hondius also produced detailed regional maps of Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, contributing to the growing demand for accurate and up-to-date cartographic information.

Cartography in Context

Henricus Hondius operated during a transformative period for cartography. The Dutch Republic was a centre of global trade and exploration, and maps were vital tools for navigation, diplomacy, and commerce. Hondius’s maps reflected this context, serving not only as navigational aids but also as symbols of Dutch maritime power and scientific advancement. His work exemplified the interplay between artistic expression and geographic precision, hallmarks of Dutch Golden Age cartography.

Later Years and Legacy

Henricus Hondius continued to produce maps and atlases until his death on 16 August 1651. By this time, his works were regarded as some of the finest examples of cartography in Europe. His maps were used by explorers and traders and collected by scholars and patrons of the arts.

Hondius’s contributions helped solidify the dominance of Dutch cartography in the 17th century. His collaboration with Johannes Janssonius ensured the continued success of the Mercator-Hondius Atlas, which remained a reference point for cartographers long after his death.

Conclusion

Henricus Hondius was a key figure in the evolution of cartography, blending artistic skill with scientific rigour to produce maps that captured the spirit of discovery and innovation characteristic of the Dutch Golden Age. His work not only preserved the legacy of earlier cartographers like Gerard Mercator but also expanded it, reflecting the expanding horizons of the 17th century. Today, his maps remain prized artefacts of historical cartography, celebrated for their beauty and historical significance.

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