Delve into the rich history of Belgium and France with this meticulously detailed map, 'Comitatus Hannoniae et Archiepiscopatus Cameracensis Tabula', crafted by Nicolaes Visscher II in 1690. The map, whose title translates to 'Map of the County of Hainaut and the Archbishopric of Cambrai', offers a unique insight into the political and geographical divisions of the region during the late 17th century.
Nicolaes Visscher II, the creator of this map, hailed from a lineage of renowned Dutch cartographers. He was the grandson of Claes Janszoon Visscher, one of the most respected mapmakers from the Dutch Golden Age. The Visscher family's commitment to accuracy and aesthetic appeal is evident in this map, which stands as a testament to their exceptional cartographic skills.
The map features several notable locations, including the cities of Charleroi, Mons, and Cambrai. These cities, each with their own rich history and cultural significance, are intricately detailed, providing a glimpse into their past. Additionally, the map also highlights two important natural landmarks: the Regional Natural Park of Avesnois (Parc naturel régional de l'Avesnois) and the Scarpe-Escaut Regional Nature Park. These parks, known for their lush landscapes and diverse wildlife, add a touch of natural beauty to the map.
The 'Comitatus Hannoniae et Archiepiscopatus Cameracensis Tabula' is more than just a map; it is a window into the past. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a lover of cartography, or simply someone who appreciates fine art, this map is a perfect addition to your collection. Explore the County of Hainaut and the Archbishopric of Cambrai as they were in 1690, and experience a piece of history that continues to fascinate and inspire.
Some of the significant locations shown on this map:
County of Hainaut:
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Mons: Known as Bergen in Dutch, it was the capital of the County of Hainaut. It was a major center of commerce and culture during the Middle Ages.
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Charleroi: Founded in 1666, it was named after King Charles II of Spain. It became a significant center for glass and coal industries.
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Tournai: One of the oldest cities in Belgium, it was known for its rich history and beautiful architecture.
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Ath: Known as the "City of Giants" due to its annual Ducasse d'Ath festival. It was a significant trading post in the 17th century.
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Soignies: Known for its stone quarries and St. Vincent's Collegiate church, a significant example of Romanesque architecture.
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Binche: Famous for its Carnival, which dates back approximately to approximately 1549.
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Chimay: Known for its Trappist monastery, which produces world-renowned beers and cheeses.
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Thuin: Known for its hanging gardens and the Belfry, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
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Enghien: A picturesque town known for its park and cultural heritage.
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Leuze-en-Hainaut: Known for its agricultural and brewing traditions.
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Mouscron: Known for its textile industry, it was a significant trading center.
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La Louvière: Known for its coal mining industry and its boat lifts on the Canal du Centre.
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Lessines: Known for its quarries producing "Lessines blue" stone, used in construction all over Belgium.
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Frameries: Known for its coal mining industry.
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Estinnes: Known for its wind farm, one of the largest in Belgium.
Archbishopric of Cambrai:
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Cambrai: Known as the "City of Art and History", it was a significant religious center.
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Douai: Known for its belfry and its university, one of the oldest and most prestigious in France.
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Valenciennes: Known for its lace-making tradition and its role in the coal industry.
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Caudry: Known for its lace-making tradition, its products were used in royal weddings.
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Le Cateau-Cambrésis: Known for being the birthplace of the famous painter Henri Matisse.
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Denain: Known for its ironworks and coal mines.
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Maubeuge: Known for its fortifications by Vauban, a famous military engineer.
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Avesnes-sur-Helpe: Known for its fortifications and its cheese, the Avesnes.
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Fourmies: Known for its textile industry.
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Hazebrouck: Known for its Flemish architecture and its annual music festival.
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Bailleul: Known for its belfry and its annual carnival.
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Armentières: Known for its textile industry.
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Roubaix: Known for its textile industry and its museum, La Piscine.
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Tourcoing: Known for its textile industry and its beautiful city hall.
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Lille: Known for its vibrant cultural scene and its beautiful old town, Vieux Lille.
Notable Natural Phenomena:
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Parc naturel régional de l'Avesnois: A beautiful natural park known for its diverse landscapes and wildlife.
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Scarpe-Escaut Regional Nature Park: The first regional nature park created in France, known for its wetlands and forests.
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Sambre River: A river that flows through both France and Belgium, known for its picturesque views.
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Scheldt River: A major river in western Europe, known for its important role in trade and transportation.
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Hainaut's coal basin: Known for its significant role in the industrial revolution in Belgium.
Notable Historical Events (1600-1690):
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The Battle of Walcourt (1689): A battle during the Nine Years' War, where the forces of the Grand Alliance defeated the French army near Walcourt.
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The construction of Charleroi (1666): Charleroi was built by the Spanish as a fortification during the Franco-Spanish War.
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The Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (1668): This treaty ended the War of Devolution, and led to changes in the control of various towns in Hainaut and Cambrai.
Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.
This map looks great at all sizes: 12x16in (30.5x41cm), 16x20in (40.5x51cm), 18x24in (45.5x61cm), 24x30in (61x76cm), 32x40in (81.5x102cm), 40x50in (102x127cm), 48x60in (122x153cm) and 56x70in (142x178cm), but it looks even better when printed large.
I can create beautiful, large prints of this map up to 90in (229cm). Please get in touch if you're looking for larger, customised or different framing options.
The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40.5x51cm) version of this map.
The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.
If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps of Europe and European cities to see if something else catches your eye.
Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.
This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.
This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.