Tag: middle age

  • Tartaria Maps: Navigating Through the Lands of Tartaria

    Tartaria Maps: Navigating Through the Lands of Tartaria

    The Tartaria maps refer to ‘historical’ maps depicting the region of Tartaria in northern Asia. These maps offer insights into the alleged geography, landscape, and culture of the Tartaria region that supposedly existed in ‘hidden history’. This huge territory between the Caspian Sea and the Pacific Ocean, including the present-day boundaries of China and India, is referred to as Tartaria in Western European literature and cartography. From the 13th through the 19th centuries, the toponym was in regular usage.

    In many derogatory titles that had little to do with the actual inhabitants of the area, Tartaria became the most popular term for Central Asia and Siberia in European sources. European knowledge of the area was exceedingly limited, discontinuous, and partly mythological until the 19th century. The region historically known as Tartaria is now often referred to as Inner or Central Eurasia. The majority of the people in these areas have spent centuries raising cattle, despite the dry climate.

    1575 Tartaria Map

    A 1575 Tartaria Map First published in 1570.
    First published in 1570.

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    A descriptive map of Russia and Tartaria by the explorer Anthony Jenkinson (1562). This is a scan of the map from the 1575 edition of Ortelius’ Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, first published in 1570 and republished many times between 1571 and 1641.

    Tartaria by Jodocus Hondius, 1606

    A Tartaria map created by Jodocus Hondius (1563–1612).
    A Tartaria map created by Jodocus Hondius (1563–1612).

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    A Tartaria map created by the Flemish and Dutch engraver and cartographer Jodocus Hondius (1563–1612). The map is from circa 1606. It depicts places like Tartaria, Central Asia, Asiatic Russia, the Great Wall of China, and the early Northwest Coast of America.

    The island of Corea, Cape de Fortuna, and the Straits of Anian are noteworthy landmarks. The map covers the Black Sea and Russia in addition to showcasing specifics about Nova Zembla. Livestock, tents, and scenes depicting nomadic tribes are examples of decorative components.

    Asiae Nova Descriptio, 1567–1570

    A Tartaria map from 1567-1570: Asiae Nova Descriptio (A New Description of Asia).
    A Tartaria map from 1567-1570: Asiae Nova Descriptio (A New Description of Asia).

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    A Tartaria map from 1567–1570. Abraham Ortelius, Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, English publication as The Theatre of the Whole World, London 1606; this map is a reduction of Ortelius’ 8-sheet map of Asia from 1567, which was primarily taken from Giacomo Gastaldi’s wall-map of Asia from 1559–161.

    Tartaria and the Greater Part of the Kingdom of China, 1680

    Tartaria and the Greater Part of the Kingdom of China 1680 2

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    This map of Tartaria is from the special collection of the University of Amsterdam. This map was published by Frederik de Wit (1629–1706). He was a Dutch cartographer and artist. The map shows Oceanus Occidentalis (Atlantic Ocean) and Mare Tartaricum (Arctic Ocean).

    1667 Atlas Maior

    A Tartaria map published in Joan Blaeu's 1667 Atlas Maior.
    A Tartaria map published in Joan Blaeu’s 1667 Atlas Maior.

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    The large middle area, surrounded by yellow borders, reads “TARTARIA.” This is a Tartaria map from the 1667 printing of the Tenth of Blaeu’s series of twelve atlases. The book is titled “Le Grand Atlas, ou Cosmographie Blaviane,” in which the Earth, the Sea, and the Heavens are described.

    18th-Century Tartaria Map

    18th-Century Tartaria Map, "Grand Russie."
    18th-Century Tartaria Map, “Grand Russie.”

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    The large pink area at the right reads “TARTARIA.” It was a brand-new map depicting the whole of the Russian Empire as it was at the time of Peter the Great’s passing. The maps read, “In the immortal memory of this great monarch.”

    Russia in Asia and Tartaria, 1853

    Russia in Asia and Tartary, 1853.
    Russia in Asia and Tartary, 1853.

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    An example of S. A. Mitchell Sr.’s map of Russia in Asia and Tartaria from 1853. Beginning in the Ural Mountains and ending at the Caspian Sea, it stretches all the way to Siberia, Kamtschatka, and Japan in the east. Includes most of northern China as well as parts of Mongolia and Korea farther to the south.

    Map of Great Tartaria and China, 17th Century

    Map of Great Tartaria, 17th century.
    Map of Great Tartaria, 17th century.

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    A map of the Great Tartary and China, together with the neighboring parts of Asia, adapted from Mr. De Fer’s map of Asia. This work is dedicated to Prince William, Duke of Gloucester.

    A Tartaria Map of 1626

    A 1626 Tartaria Map by John Speed.
    A 1626 Tartaria Map by John Speed.

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    An old map of Tartaria shows northern China, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia, as well as southern Russia and eastern China. The first English-made global atlas has this map, Speed’s map of Tartaria. There is a distinct depiction of the Great Wall of China, and the map’s interior is extensively marked.

    Map of Tartaria by Bertius, 16th–17th centuries

    the 16th or 17th century Tartaria map by bertius
    A 16th or 17th century Tartaria map.

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    The map of Tartaria by the geographer and cartographer Petrus Bertius (1565–1629). Bertius is best known as a mapper for his version of the Geographia of Ptolemy. In this 16th or 17th century Tartaria map, China is represented with “Chi” at the right and Parthia is shown at the bottom left next to the Caspian Sea, which reads Mar de Sala.

    1706 Tartaria Map

    The Map of Tartaria, 1706.
    The Map of Tartaria, 1706.

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    Originally called “Carte de Tartarie” (Tartaria Map), it was created by the cartographer Guillaume Delisle (1675–1726) in 1706. The description on the bottom left side explains that this Tartaria map was drawn on the relationships of several travelers from different nations and on some observations made in French by Guillaume Delisle of the Royal Academy of Sciences, Paris.

    Tartaria Map of the Kingdom of the Great Khan, 16th Century

    A Tartaria map for Genghis Khan.
    A Tartaria map for Genghis Khan.

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    An ancient Tartaria map drawn out by the great Brabantian mapper, geographer, and cosmographer Abraham Ortelius (1527–1598). The map shows the “Kingdom of the Great Khan,” which is likely Genghis Khan.

    See also: Genghis Khan’s Children: His Number of Sons and Daughters

    Grand Tartaria Map, 1674–1719

    Grand Tartaria Map, 1674--1719
    Grand Tartaria by Guillaume Sanson.

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    The map of Grand Tartaria by the French cartographer Guillaume Sanson (1633–1703) at the French National Library. This map above is probably a copy from 1674–1719.

    1719 Tartaria Map

    1719 Tartaria Map
    This map of Asia and Tartaria (top) includes all of the East Indies, Japan, and India.

    View this map in higher resolution. [9 MB]

    This map of Asia and Tartaria (top) includes all of the East Indies, Japan, and India. It is drawn from H.A. Chatelain’s Atlas historique or nouvelle introduction à la chronologie (Historical Atlas or New Introduction to Ancient & Modern History, Chronology & Geography), 1719. He was a Huguenot pastor of Parisian origins.

    3rd Map of Chinese Tartaria, 1737

    3rd Map of Chinese Tartaria, 1737
    From the New Atlas of China, Chinese Tartary, and Tibet, 1737.

    View this map in higher resolution. [2.4 MB]

    Third Map of Chinese Tartary or Tartaria, from the New Atlas of China, Chinese Tartary, and Tibet, 1737. It includes the regions occupied by the Mongols north of the Great Wall and the lands of Ordos, encircled by the Yellow River.

    Tatariae Sinensis, 1749

    Cropped section of the Tatariae Sinensis map.
    Cropped section of the Tatariae Sinensis map.

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    Japan, Korea, Inner Mongolia, the Kingdom of Manchuria, and the Province of Great Tartary, North China, are depicted on a single Tartaria map named Tatariae Sinensis from 1749. Jean-Baptiste Bourguignon d’Anville (1697–1782), was a notable cartographer. Johann Tobias Mayer (1723-1762; elder), was also a renowned cartographer. Their works are housed in the National Library of France.

    Independent Tartaria Map, 1851

    Independent Tartaria Map, 1851
    Independent Tartary by John Tallis.

    View this map in higher resolution. [6.8 MB]

    Independent Tartaria map from 1851 with short stories about the Bride Chase, the Tartars traveling, and the Tent during those times. Engraved for the Illustrated Atlas of R. Montgomery Martin. Among the last great creators of colorful maps was the British John Tallis (1817–1876).

  • Dressing in Vikings: Their Clothes and Outfits

    Dressing in Vikings: Their Clothes and Outfits

    Linen and wool were the primary components of the Viking wardrobe. The wool came from domesticated long-fleece sheep, and the weaving was done on a giant vertical loom in the house. Simple stones with holes are used to stretch the warp threads, while the weft thread is pushed through using a hand-operated shuttle and packed with a fuller (pick).

    How did the Vikings produce their clothes?

    The production of wadmal, a thick and toasty fabric, required this labor, which was traditionally the domain of women. This fabric had many practical uses, including but not limited to garments, tents, and sails, but it also served as a medium of exchange in legal cases and as cargo during Viking voyages.

    In the Icelandic saga, The Story of Burnt Njal, the poem Darradarljod describes this craft within the setting of clan warfare. After the fight, on a Friday morning, a man named Daurrud set off. His curiosity piqued, he made his way to the pavilion and peered inside, where he observed ladies working at a loom. Men’s skulls served as the weights, their intestines as the weft and warp, a sword as the fuller (pick), and an arrow as the shuttle. Afterward, they sang out a couple of verses:

    This woof is y-woven
    With entrails of men,
    This warp is hardweighted
    With heads of the slain,
    Spears blood-besprinkled
    For spindles we use,
    Our loom ironbound,
    And arrows our reels;
    With swords for our shuttles
    This war-woof we work;
    So weave we, weird sisters,
    Our warwinning woof

    The Vikings had no problem dressing up for special events, even if it meant donning silk. Trade and theft were the means by which the silk was obtained. It was brought in by Rus’ traders from Constantinople and distributed across the major markets of northern Europe.

    Woolen clothes could be found in a variety of neutral tones, including brown, black, and gray. However, the materials could also be colored as a sign of wealth and success.

    Blue was one of the most popular color choices. The Scandinavian woad plant was used to produce it. It had a revered shade that called to mind the deep blue of Odin’s robe. It was also common to see red among Viking clothes. It was made from madder (Rubia tinctorum plant), which could be purchased in bulk from major European trade stations.

    Colors like green and yellow were also included. The yellow might come from a variety of sources, including the onion (which is grown in Scandinavia), broom, or ramie (a native Eastern Asian plant). Green was a blend of yellow and pastel.

    Because it was more challenging to dye linen, it frequently retained its natural color. The Vikings’ wardrobe also included a wide variety of furs, both domestically sourced and imported, including bear, reindeer, sable, and marten.

    Dress of the Viking men

    Dress of the Viking men

    Aesthetics were important to the Vikings. They washed or showered every Saturday. On this day, both sexes took long, soapy baths to clean themselves from head to toe.

    During this time, the Viking men shaved. After a quick rinse in the tub, they were ready for the ovens. A change of clothes allowed them to do the washing.

    A Viking’s underwear was comprised of a basic linen shirt and warm woolen underpants, perfect for the frigid Scandinavian winter. The Vikings then put on a long-sleeved garment with a length that reached about halfway down their thighs and was held in place by a leather belt that could be embellished with bronze plates.

    Then they donned a pair of trousers, which might be short and floaty, long and sticky, or short and puffy. Socks fastened with staples or straps rounded off the ensemble in the latter situation.

    A long cloak, lined with fur or down, and fastened on the right shoulder with a penannular fibula, was a common way to conceal the blouse.

    That way, the Vikings could simply draw the sword that’s fastened to the left side of the belt without having to use their right arm. The more well-off could be identified by the braids, embroidery, and gold and silver threads that adorn their tops and capes.

    A Viking man wore leather shoes or boots, both of which had a strap that went around the ankle and folded over the instep. Carefully maintaining their beards and long hair with combs crafted from cetacean bone or elk antlers was a hobby of theirs.

    It was possible that they could wear a variety of woolen caps and felt hats. When it was cold out, Viking men would be wearing mittens and large wool to keep their hands warm.

    Dress of the Viking women

    Dress of the Viking women

    On top of her sleeved or sleeveless tunic, a Viking woman wore a chasuble garment of pleated wool, which was kept in place by a pair of frequently oval fibulae at shoulder height.

    The Viking women fastened their sewing tools to the left side of this chasuble frock, which was embellished with braids and embroidery. A Viking woman wrapped herself with a shawl that she could tie around the waist or the lower back with her fibula.

    As a rule, a young girl’s hair was left down, whereas a married Viking woman’s hair was pulled back into a bun, ponytail, or braid. The back of the neck was shielded by a scarf that was fastened there. She had a penchant for pearl, amber, and gold bracelets, earrings, and necklaces.

    The Viking bride traditionally wore a linen veil on her wedding day, either to ward off the evil eye or because the groom had the honor of being the first to see his future wife without her veil. Since she was the head of the Viking household, she always had the keys to the house’s treasure and food storage boxes on her belt.

    The military dress of the Vikings

    The military dress of the Vikings
    (Image: Jack Keay)

    The standard Viking warrior’s arsenal included a sword, axe, spear, knife, and bow and arrows. You could protect yourself with a shield, a helmet, and a brooch. The Viking sword had two sides, and its magical strength came from the runic inscriptions that adorned them.

    This wooden scabbard had fur inside and leather outside. There were several varieties of Viking axes. As the Vikings’ standard weapon, it was a fearsome one, whether short or long in the handle, with the iron more or less broad, bent, and perhaps terminated with points. It could be thrown or used as a weapon in combat.

    You can think of the Viking spear as a javelin or a spear. The first was a projectile weapon, while the second was a thrusting weapon that could be used with more power thanks to the addition of stirrups.

    The diamond-shaped iron was secured to the handle with nails that have spiritual and legal significance. About a meter in circumference, the Viking shield had a circular shape. It was constructed from painted wood and had a metal frame. The handle was shielded by the iron shield boss (umbo) in the middle.

    The Vikings’ go-to protective gear consisted of a leather or wool cuirass and a boiled leather hat. However, a metal helmet was another option. Then, a nose extended it into a conical shape. Instead of a leather helmet, a Viking could wear a brooch, or a collection of metal plates strung together.

  • Differences Between a Manor House and a Castle

    Differences Between a Manor House and a Castle

    The term “manor house” or “castle” is often reserved for large, elaborate homes made of fine materials like stone and typically adorned with sculptural details. As such, several of them have been designated as national landmarks.

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    People of means or prominence reside inside.
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    Then, what are the differences between a manor house and a castle?

    The Latin “castellum” refers to a fortified military structure, which is where we get our term “castle.” “Seigneurial or royal dwelling; a large and beautiful house,” as defined by the dictionaries.

    So, it’s a fort that civilians had been living in for some time. They date back to the Roman Empire (27 BC–476 AD), but the shape we are familiar with today emerged throughout the Middle Ages (5th–15th century AD).

    The Latin term “maner,” from which our English word “manor” is derived, refers to a house or residence. It is the dwelling of a fief owner who did not have the right to build a castle with towers and a keep.

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    In the 14th century, when land defense was less of a priority, the first manor houses made their debut.

    A historical difference

    Aerial view of the Eltz Castle; seen from the south
    Aerial image of the Eltz Castle (view from the south). Image: Wikimedia.

    As the defensive aspects of castles became obsolete and the feudal structure of the Middle Ages crumbled, the line between a castle and a manor house blurred. In times past, castles were built in the middle of towns to protect the locals from any potential invaders. Fortresses were fortified with moats, walls, a keep, ditches, and drawbridges.

    All on a grand scale, with features like great defenses and towering structures that conveyed an advanced architectural style that spoke to the wealth and influence of the owner.

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    From the time of the Renaissance forward, these fortresses were renovated into elegant mansions complete with gardens, turrets, and other architectural flourishes. However, these features were removed over time by the previous owners, so their existence now is not sufficient to warrant the label “castle.

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    A big difference

    As opposed to the massive castle, the manor house is much more modest. “Gentilhommière” (which means “small manor house” in English) meant that it belonged to a “gentil” in French. Since the nobleman who lived there oversaw the village’s farms, his residence had the highest status in the community. But cheesemaking, livestock breeding, and winemaking were all viable possibilities on these sites.

    The owner had to beg the lord to defend him from invasion and conflict, but unlike city rulers, the owner couldn’t build a keep or towers to assert his/her independence. Even now, a manor conjures up images of a stately rural home, one whose grand size is not out of scale with the rest of the property.