Circulation and Contacts in Sixteenth Century New Cartography: Spain, Portugal and Italy

José María Moreno Madrid

doi:10.3989/chdj.2021.015

Abstract

Cartographic information was highly coveted in sixteenth century Europe, especially when it came from Portugal or Spain. Maps and nautical charts produced in the Iberian Peninsula were loaded with sensitive information about the new lands discovered, which made them the object of desire of rival or curious powers. Faced with this, the Spanish and Portuguese institutions tried to limit the excessive dispersion of cartographic material, using several legislative instruments. In theory, the circulation of cartographic information beyond Iberian imperial boundaries was strictly controlled, so the possibility of leakages or exchanges seemed very unlikely. In practice, both leaks and contact occurred constantly. The objective of this article is to illustrate this idea from the identification and analysis of concrete historical events in which the circulation of cartographic information took place. The chronological framework chosen is the sixteenth century, with Spain, Portugal and Italy as the main sites.

Highlights

The maritime expansion of Portugal and Spain during the sixteenth century led both Iberian empires to face situations of a political, social and economic nature that had never been handled before
Cartographic information was highly coveted in sixteenth century Europe, especially when it came from Portugal or Spain
Nautical charts,1 which became the reservoir of cartographic information par excellence during the Modern Age, incorporated data collected by intermediate professionals, were produced and updated in specific institutions,2 and they themselves constituted a cognitive device of the highest level

Summary

INTRODUCTION

The maritime expansion of Portugal and Spain during the sixteenth century led both Iberian empires to face situations of a political, social and economic nature that had never been handled before. In a similar way to the case of the Cantino planisphere, there is documentary evidence that the hydrographic charts that La Cosa obtained in Lisbon arrived at their destination and enriched the corpus of cartographic information that had begun to be forged in the brand-new Casa de la Contratación of Seville. A Real Disposición appeared announcing that Sancho Gutiérrez had informed the Consejo de Indias that there was a chart maker from Lisbon in Seville, son of a cosmographer of the king of Portugal, “who made nautical charts that were stamped and sold publicly.” When the authorities found out, they banned such activity, and Fraile took the opportunity to return to his family in Portugal Sometime later he returned to Seville, getting married there to claim Castilian nationality and be able to work as a cosmographer in the Casa de la Contratación. There may not have been many cases where the employee betrayed the trust of the employer, but it is difficult to assume that no leakage of cartographic information took place on board the thousands of ships that plied the Spanish and Portuguese routes during the sixteenth century

CONCLUSION

Sevilla