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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Mappa Mundi
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(Hereford Cathedral) Circular map of the world, painted on a large piece of vellum (prepared calf skin). It is believed to have been completed in about 1290, and has been in *Hereford since at least the 17C. In the medieval tradition of map making, it shows Jerusalem at the centre of the world with the three known continents around it; Asia occupies the top of the map and Europe and Africa share the lower half. Europe and Africa were named the wrong way round by the artist, who signs himself Richard and fills his map and its margins with lively drawings of the marvels to be found in this world and the next. The Mappa Mundi (Latin for 'map of the world') was the subject of wide publicity in 1989 when the cathedral authorities planned to raise much-needed funds by selling it. Means were found to return it to its traditional home.
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