1650 Manasseh Ramus Faecundus, Ramus Faecundus Juxta Fontem
By: Thomas Fuller
Date: 1650 (Published) London
Dimensions: 11.25 x 13.25 inches (28.6 x 33.6 cm)
This striking map of the Holy Land is one of a series from the monumental opus of Thomas Fuller, an atlas entitled Pisgah-Sight of Palestine and the confines thereof, with the History of the Old and New Testament acted thereon. The atlas was published in English and is often referred to as the first true Biblical atlas. Pisgah refers to Mount Pisgah, the mountain in the Bible from which Moses saw the Promised Land for the first time.
The map’s Latin title means Manasseh the Fruitful Branch, the Fruitful Branch by the Fountain. It depicts the lands of the tribe of Manessah east of the Jordan, with an emblem of the tribe, a flowering tree behind a well, enclosed within a strapwork cartouche. The map is filled with illustrations of biblical and historical events.
One such biblical scene depicts the prophet Elijah camped by the River Cherith. According to Hebrew scripture, he had been commanded by God to go there, and was told he would be fed by ravens who would bring him bread and meat twice a day, as depicted in the vignette.
Other scenes include encampments, soldiers armed with long spears in combat, and a scene at the city of Mitzpah, where Samuel was anointed Israel’s judge. The sepulchre of Kamon is included in the midst of what appears to be a large settlement. In places the land appears to be fruitful, with forested areas and cattle grazing.
The map is embellished with the coat of arms and a dedication to its patron Richardo Pigot, a decorative scale of miles in the lower right, and the fanciful representation in a cartouche of one of the symbols of the tribe of Manasseh.
Thomas Fuller (1608-1661) was an English historian, clergyman, and writer who produced many works in addition to his Biblical atlas entitled Pisgah-Sight of Palestine and the confines thereof, with the History of the Old and New Testament acted thereon, including The Church -History of Britain (1655) and Worthies of England (1662).
His works are known for their use of original sources and antiquarian information. The Church-History of Britain included the first detailed account of the decades before the civil wars. Worthies of England was the first biographical dictionary in English and included a catalog of the notable features of every county in England.
Fuller was a prolific author and one of the first English writers to earn a living from his writing. He was a chaplain to the Royalist army during the fighting, and later became a friend of Izaak Walton, another leading biographer.
Condition: This map is in B condition. Some damp staining and uneven toning. Outer edges quite dark.
Inventory #12931
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