Rouen – Braun & Hogenberg Antique Map

This richly detailed bird’s-eye view depicts Rhotomagus, the Latin name for Rouen, a prominent city in Normandy, France, shown here under its early modern name: “Rhotomagus, Galliae Lugdunensis ad Sequanam flu. Opp. vulgo Rouen.”   The engraving, part of Braun & Hogenberg’s Civitates Orbis Terrarum atlas, presents Rouen from the south, across the Seine River, with its densely built medieval center encircled by fortified walls and bisected by a complex street network.

Visual and geographic features:

The Seine River (“Riviere de Seine”) flows across the foreground, with ships and a distinctive bridge crossing the water near a small fortified gate structure. The city is shown teeming with narrow winding streets, major churches, civic buildings, and squares. Key landmarks are labeled with letters and identified in a legend at the lower right To the upper right stands the Château de Rouen (labeled Fort S. Catherine), perched on a hill overlooking the city, along with other suburban monasteries and châteaux. Rolling hills, farmlands, and tree-lined paths surround the city, with charming rural buildings set into the countryside. In the foreground, two figures in period dress, a typical embellishment by Frans Hogenberg, stand on a hill. These figures are typical iconographic additions to the Civitates urban maps, lending a sense of local character and scale. Rouen’s coat of arms appears at top left, while another heraldic shield floats at top right.

Condition:  Strong contrast and clear impression. Typical age toning, especially along the center fold, which has darkening along the center crease. Some faint smudging and foxing.

View of Full sheet.

The map legend lower left lists:

A. Nostre Dame – The Cathedral of Notre-Dame (Rouen Cathedral)
B. St. Ouen – Abbey Church of Saint-Ouen
C. St. Maclou – Church of Saint-Maclou
D. St. Vivien – Church of Saint-Vivien
E. St. Nicolas – Church of Saint-Nicolas
F. St. Gervais – Church of Saint-Gervais
G. St. Godard – Church of Saint-Godard
H. St. Vincent – Church of Saint-Vincent
I. St. Patrice – Church of Saint-Patrice
K. St. Laurent – Church of Saint-Laurent
L. Les Cordeliers – Franciscan monastery (Cordeliers)
M. Les Carmes – Carmelite monastery
N. St. Martin des Champs – Likely Church of Saint-Martin-des-Champs
O. St. Mauricy – Church of Saint-Maurice
P. St. André – Church of Saint-André
Q. St. Eloy – Church of Saint-Éloi
R. St. Jean – Church of Saint-Jean
S. St. Denis – Church of Saint-Denis
T. Les Jacobins – Dominican monastery (Jacobins)

RHOTOMAGUS

Rouen, an ancient city, called Rhotomagus by Ptolemy and by the Celts in their language; Ammianus Marcellinus, a Roman historian, described it as the second most important city of Lugdunensis Gaul. It is situated between two rivers, among which are the Rubecque and Aubette. To the south flows the great river Sequana (Seine); to the north, the city is bounded by plains and mountains of moderate elevation, and further off by the sea.

Due to its excellent location, both fertile and well-positioned for trade and defense, Rouen flourished in many ways: in agriculture, navigation, fishing, and commerce. It became one of the busiest centers in Europe. Its advantageous site on the Seine enabled it to reach distant regions, even as far as India. Merchants arrived here from the west and beyond. Not only goods but also governance, maritime services, and military presence made the city wealthy and significant.

Nearby, the Roman fleet was once stationed to defend Gaul and monitor the northern seas. Rouen possessed granaries, military barracks, and, according to some, even dry docks for shipbuilding. Some claim that the Romans made it a colony, and that Caesar himself stationed a division here. They also assert that the city was fortified in his time.

In the time of the emperors, Rouen had its own senate and magistrates, and bore all the marks of a capital city. After the fall of the Roman Empire, it retained much of its former splendor. It became a capital under the Frankish kings, and later the seat of the Norman dukes, and finally one of the residences of the kings of France. The Archbishop of Rouen, Primate of Normandy, still resided here, enjoying great ecclesiastical and civic authority.

Among its splendid buildings are many churches, including the Cathedral of the Virgin Mary, a marvel of sacred architecture, and churches dedicated to Saints Peter, Romanus, and Ouen. The cathedral in particular is adorned with rich ornamentation, fine vaults, and artistic decoration. It is divided into three towers, of which the first is square and fortified like a castle; the second is more delicate and open; the third, built in modern times, is topped with a spire of timber covered in lead.

Ecclesiastical history tells us that the Gospel was first preached here by Saint Nicasius, sent by the Apostle Peter. The succession of archbishops includes many notable figures, including Saint Romanus, the city’s most famous patron, whose miracles and deeds are celebrated. According to legend, he is said to have defeated a monstrous dragon or serpent known as the Gargouille, which terrorized the region, and thus secured his place in local devotion.

The canonry and cathedral chapter, composed of wise and venerable men, were responsible for spiritual leadership and also civic guidance. Romanus, according to legend, established many rules for their conduct. He is also said to have instituted the tradition, confirmed by royal privilege, that each year, on the feast of Ascension, one prisoner sentenced to death would be pardoned by the chapter and led in a solemn procession from prison to the cathedral.

This ancient custom, unique in France, was ratified by kings and dukes alike. It stands as a symbol of the church’s mercy and authority, and of the enduring sanctity of Rouen’s religious institutions.