Johnny Cosmo
Inkling
Does anybody know where I can find layouts and maps for settlements from the Anglo-Saxon Britian to the Early (or perhaps High) Middle Ages?
If you do a google search you might see the same picture over and over. What you're looking for are considered artistic reconstructions, so even a basic penciled layout will be copyrighted.
I'm not looking to use the layouts or maps in my own work, just to inform them my settlements.
Why not? I've found some already, so they are out there.
(3) low standards;
I will add this to what Devor said: not only are most maps copyrighted, nearly all of them are reconstructions, often from textual sources—accurate land mapping simply did not exist at the times you're talking about
If you're pretty serious about your writing, Johnny Cosmo, at the very least take a look.
I'm not looking for accurate maps, since I don't want to copy the layouts. Speculative is good for me because I just want an idea of where to put what, and an overall idea of what the view would be like.
I'm looking for more of the same.
And if I were to buy a book on each narrow topic I came too explore, I'd be spending a lot of money. As it happens, I'm not exactly a serious writer, which is the reason I'm not too bothered about being called out as having a lack of commitment by someone who hasn't read any of my writing.
Sarcasm aside, I like some of the layouts/maps in my previous post. Does anybody know of anywhere I can find more?
Blaeu's Grand Atlas
When I think of "settlement layout," I want to know such things as how large the buildings are, how many there are, how closely spaced, how the minor streets and alleys run.…
The only one I thought was of any value at all was the model of Salisbury (which I suspect is the most speculative of the lot); all the rest show a few major buildings, a handful of major streets, and nothing else (labeling something "urban area" is not especially informative).
You can actually find much more detailed versions of the same cities, even online.
So, honestly, if you're content with what you've seen so far, you can stop researching, because everything else is going to look the same.
Blau's Grand Atlas of the 17th Century? A little late... as in, not the Middle Ages. Anything else? Also, I'm really not sure what you mean by 'just as useless'. Just as useless as not having a reference at all? Otherwise, what are they just as useless as?
That sort of information can be found elsewhere. If I've got a book that gives a decent insight to the size and spacing of buildings, what's wrong with looking for a birds eye view of a few settlements to use in conjunction with that information?
I agree, but those few major building might be important. And again, other people's speculation is worth more than my own.
That's exactly what I'm looking for... links would be much appreciated.
The problem is, I have looked at books, but I've not found anything specific enough. If anyone has a recommendation for a book that focuses on settlements (from say... the time of the Anglo-Saxon Heptarchy to the the end of the Early Middle Ages), I'd appreciate a link. As for refining my search terms, I seem to have had more success with vague searches.
Thanks for the link. The video is great (and should be very useful), but the images in the second link aren't really detailed enough for me.