THE MOST ACCURATE DELINEATION OF ALL LOWER GERMANY, BY THE AUTHOR FRANCUS HOGENBERG. IN THE YEAR OF SALVATION 1578.

This map represents Lower Germany, especially that region which obeys King Philip, a highly cultivated land. In it, Lodovico Guicciardini an Italian historian and merchant known for his descriptions of the Low Countries, its most diligent investigator, counted 208 cities surrounded by embankments, walls, and ditches, and more than 6,300 villages, in addition to villas, castles, and fortresses (of which there are very many). The air there is conducive to the health of the inhabitants, as it produces long-lived people. It is irrigated by rivers, decorated here and there with groves and woods, and contains mountains, at least around Luxembourg, Namur, and in Hainaut. It is fertile in grain, fruits of every kind, and even medicinal herbs. Likewise, it provides lush pastures for livestock, especially in the countryside, a part of Brabant. It does not produce animals harmful to the human race.

A detailed geographical map of Lower Germany, encompassing the modern-day Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg, as well as adjacent regions in France and Germany. The map is oriented with West at the left and East at the right. The top left contains a large, ornate Renaissance cartouche with the title and a descriptive Latin paragraph. Decorative elements include scrollwork, masks, and mythical figures. In the North Sea, there are illustrations of two sea monsters and a sailing vessel. A smaller dedication cartouche appears in the bottom left. The map identifies major cities, rivers, and regional boundaries with topographical details like forests and hills. A linear scale is located at the bottom center-left.

NORTH

WEST

EAST

SOUTH

PART OF ENGLAND

ISLANDS OF ZEELAND

Dedicated to the most illustrious and accomplished man, Master Daniel Speckle, distinguished by his art and extensive experience, Architect of the Republic of Strasbourg, by Frans Hogenberg as a token of perpetual and choice friendship.

With Privilege

Small, Common, and Large German Measure.

Major Regions Identified:

FRISIA Friesland
HOLLANDIA Holland
ZELANDIA Zeeland
FLANDRIA Flanders
BRABANTIA Brabant
HANNONIA Hainaut
NAMVRCVM Namur
LVTZENBVRGVM Luxembourg
GELDRIA Guelders
TRAIECTVM Utrecht
WESTPHALIA
HASSIA Hesse
CLEVE Cleves
IVLIA Jülich