Cambray (Cambrai) – Braun & Hogenberg Antique Map

Cambrai, formerly Cambray and historically in English Camerick or Camericke, is a city in the Nord department and in the Hauts-de-France region of France.   This finely engraved bird’s-eye view presents the fortified city of Cambray (modern-day Cambrai, France), as it appeared in the late 16th century, was published in Braun & Hogenberg’s Civitates Orbis Terrarum. The title cartouche at the top reads “La ville de CAMBRAY,” and the map shows the city oriented roughly to the northeast, surrounded by its full system of defensive ramparts, bastions, and moats.

• Urban Layout: The map captures Cambray’s dense and organic medieval street plan, radiating from central axes and town squares. The streets are teeming with closely packed buildings, churches, civic structures, and market areas, many of which are identified with numbers corresponding to a key in the lower left corner.

• Citadel (La Citadelle): Dominating the eastern edge of the city is the star-shaped fortress labeled “La Citadelle”, a bastioned military structure typical of post-medieval fortification design. It reflects the town’s strategic importance and its role in military defense during periods of regional conflict.

• River and Bridges: A moat and river system encircles the city, with bridges at the main gates. These are fortified and serve as points of both entry and control. The water channels feed into and out of the city, playing both a defensive and logistical role.

• Coats of Arms: At the upper corners of the map are two heraldic shields. On the left is the elaborate coat of arms of the Habsburgs/Spanish Crown, signifying imperial control over the region during this period. On the right is the city’s own emblem—an eagle—which appears above the label “Oriens” (East).

• Decorative Cartouches: A stylish scrollwork title banner tops the image, flanked by ornamental figures. Below left, the numbered legend identifies 14 key landmarks, including churches and gates.

• Dated 1596: The date is engraved at the bottom center, just outside the lower wall of the city.

Condition: The engraving is well-preserved, with clear linework and fine detail. There is some toning and slight creasing along old fold lines. The impression is strong, and all key features remain crisp and legible. The edges of the outer sheet margins (see lower image are rough with a few tears

View of Full sheet.

The text is in German (translation below image) and this map is most likely from the German edition that appeared in 1575.

Translation is based on the Civitates Orbis Terrarum original 16th-century German text shown above (Translation via ChatGPT)

Cambray or Camerich, in that part of France which in earlier times was called Belgic Gaul, lies between the waters of the Seine (which flows through Paris) and the Rhine (now generally understood as the Netherlands). It is a city with a castle and a bishop’s seat, and is currently one of the most notable cities, having for a time belonged to the Holy Roman Empire. But how and when this city came into being or rose to fame is not clearly known, as it lacks a well-established founding story and shows a variety of contradictory histories. Some say it was built and fortified in ancient times by Julius Caesar; others claim it is older and that it already existed before Caesar’s time.

Some write that it was founded by the Romans after their conquest of Gaul and was made a colony by them. Because of its wealth and favorable location, kings and emperors have always taken interest in it and left behind many privileges and charters. The kings and princes of France also sought to gain possession of it for themselves, either through alliance or force, and it has changed hands more than once. Therefore, France now holds it, though it was once part of the Empire.

Among other things, the city is associated with the town Samarobriva, about which Julius Caesar writes that he gathered his Roman troops there and established a Roman military base. However, there is much dispute about whether this Samarobriva is indeed Cambray or another city nearby. Some scholars say it is Amiens, others suggest Noyon, and still others believe it was another city of the Ambiani, who were a tribe of Gaul.

Georg Braun has collected many accounts in his writings and explains in his books (especially the one titled De libris originum) that Cambray might indeed be the city that Caesar refers to as Samarobriva. But since Caesar does not mention it by name, and there is no absolute evidence, the matter remains uncertain. Some believe that Bellovacum, or today’s Beauvais, is the city Caesar had in mind. These cities lie not far from one another, and it is possible that Caesar moved his military camp among several of them during his campaigns in Gaul.

Some claim, based on Caesar’s writings, that Samarobriva was the capital of the Ambiani tribe, and therefore must be Amiens. Others maintain that Cambray is the correct city, and argue that the ancient name was simply lost or changed over time. Because both cities lie in close proximity to each other, the matter is difficult to settle with certainty. Moreover, the writings of Pomponius Mela and Ptolemy mention cities in this region under names that cannot always be securely matched with modern ones. Therefore, some argue that Samarobriva was an entirely different place, perhaps even Noyon or Bavay.

Indeed, some ancient authors count these cities as belonging to the Nervii or Bellovaci, and it is not unreasonable that one and the same city might have changed tribal or provincial affiliation over time. Caesar himself does not speak clearly enough to determine the matter definitively.

He reports that he had a bridge built there over the Samarus river and that the city had an important location on the road between Durcotorum (modern Reims) and the lands of the Ambiani. But since Cambray also lies between these regions and near a river, many lean toward it being the correct identification. Furthermore, Pliny the Elder names a city called Samarobriva in his Natural History, located among the Ambiani and near the Nervii—again suggesting either Amiens or Cambray. Thus, scholars remain divided.

One also finds in Cicero’s letters to Trebatius that he refers to Samarobriva in Gaul as a significant city of military administration, further evidence that it was a Roman center of some standing. Some believe this corresponds to modern Cambray; others are more inclined toward Amiens. The Franks, after they gained control of the region, called the city Cambray, while the Romans and older sources used the term Samarobriva. This again supports the idea that names and tribal boundaries changed over time.

What is certain is that Cambray has long been a significant and populous city. It is situated in a rich and fertile plain, surrounded by fields and meadows, and watered by rivers and streams that make the land productive and the city suitable for commerce. Many roads converge here, making it a convenient location for trade and military movement. For this reason, both the Romans and later rulers took care to fortify and improve it.

The Christian faith was introduced here early. The city became a bishopric, and later the seat of an archbishop, who held not only ecclesiastical but also secular authority in the region. The bishops were granted temporal power and governed the city and surrounding territory as lords, though they remained subject to higher sovereigns — first emperors, later kings.

Among the most renowned of these bishops was Saint Vaast (Vedastus), who is said to have preached here and in the surrounding country. Many miracles and pious acts are attributed to him, and he is venerated as a saint. The bishopric grew in wealth and prestige, and its cathedral chapter became known for learning and discipline.

The cathedral church of Cambray is a magnificent building, large and richly endowed. It houses many relics and tombs of former bishops and noble patrons. The city also contains many monasteries, convents, and churches, all contributing to its spiritual and cultural life. Among these are foundations of Augustinians, Benedictines, Franciscans, and other orders.

The city also had schools and learned men, and was considered a center of law and theology. At times, provincial synods were held there, and decisions affecting the wider church in Gaul were made within its walls.

Cambray also became known for its fortifications. It was surrounded by strong walls and towers, with gates that were guarded and defended. A large citadel stood at one end of the city, serving both as a military stronghold and a symbol of princely power. Because of its strategic location near the borders of France, Flanders, and the Empire, the city was frequently involved in wars and sieges.

It was besieged and conquered more than once, changing hands between French, Spanish, and Imperial forces. Each occupying power repaired and expanded its defenses, so that the city gradually became one of the most strongly fortified places in the region. At times it was part of the Kingdom of France, at other times part of the Spanish Netherlands, and for a period also under the Holy Roman Empire.

During these times, its citizens suffered much, not only from military occupation, but also from high taxes, plundering, and burdens of housing troops. Yet the people of Cambray remained resilient and loyal to their city. They took pride in their traditions, in their church, and in the privileges granted to them by earlier rulers.

Among these privileges was the right to hold markets and fairs, which brought merchants from far and wide. The city became a center for cloth-making and trade, especially in fine fabrics and ecclesiastical garments. Artists and craftsmen flourished, and the city’s goods were known in other lands. The cathedral embroidery workshops were especially famed.

In addition to its churches and fortifications, Cambray had many noble houses and fine stone buildings, reflecting the wealth of its clergy and burghers. The streets were well laid out and maintained, and the city had public wells, fountains, and squares, which made it both attractive and livable.

The city council, composed of local magistrates and elders, administered daily affairs with justice and discipline. Though the archbishop held overarching authority, the citizens retained a degree of self-governance in civil matters. The city was also home to notaries, jurists, and scholars, many of whom served in ecclesiastical or imperial courts.

It was not uncommon for emperors, kings, and princes to pass through Cambray or reside there for a time, given its central location and fine accommodations. It became a site of diplomatic meetings and negotiations, including conferences and peace treaties, which brought further prestige.

In short, Cambray is a city of ancient dignity, bearing witness to the glory of the Roman world, the strength of the Christian faith, and the resilience of its people through times of conflict and change. Its fame is not due to any single quality, but rather to the noble sum of its history, its religion, its learning, and its loyal citizenry.

What more might be said of Cambray can be found in other writings and histories, and also in the fourth volume of this work, where further details are provided.