I had a great time last week visiting the Secret Maps exhibition at the British Library.
The introductory message tells us that maps have always been more than just tools for navigation – in the hands of governments, groups and individuals, maps create and control knowledge. In Secret Maps, exhibits trace the levels of power, coercion and secrecy that lie behind maps from the 14th century to the present day, and uncover the invisible forces that draw and distort the world around us. There is plenty to see, so the blog today will only give you a brief sample of the extraordinary items on display.
A couple of lighthearted examples to start with.
Where’s Wally at the seige of Troy …
From Where’s Wally in Hollywood (1993).
This bra and knickers set was made for Lady Mountbatten. They consist of Second World War escape maps – classified tools for evading enemy capture …
Printed on silk for durability, these maps became surplus when secrecy was no longer critical.
The Secret Book of Secrets, from around 1326, a copy made for the future Edward III …
Rulers with access to this ‘secret knowledge’ would be able to navigate the impact of the planets and predict events.
Liber Secretorum Fidelium Crusis, around 1325 …
The ‘Book of Secrets for Faithful Crusaders on the Recovery and Retention of the Holy Land’ was produced by Venetian nobleman Marino Sanudo to persuade the Pope to sanction a crusade.
Scotland 1457. This map was drawn in an attempt to convince the English king to invade Scotland. It was the work of English chronicler John Hardyng, who had spent three years as a spy in Scotland …
The map is drawn with west at the top and is rich with information on rivers, forests, and strongholds (including Edinburgh, the large red castle, lower left).
Africa, 1558 …
Le Maire Strait, 1621 …
Spy letter, 1683 …
The map of Huningue referred to in the label …
Northern France, 1916. During the First World War, millions of maps were produced of Belgium and France on the Western Front, often omitting trench systems for security …
This British map, however, produced for the Somme offensive of 1 July 1916, includes British trenches in blue. Such maps were only available to commanders well behind the front line.
London, 1940, The German Luftwaffe produced this bombing target map of central London during the Blitz campaign of the Second World War. They marked it ‘Geheim’ (secret). The targets, numbered in red, included key sites such as the War Office, the Admiralty and other government buildings …
In the top left corner of the map, the area labelled ‘Neutrale Botschaften’ (neutral embassies etc.) acts as a warning to pilots not to bomb these locations.
Normandy 1944. ‘Bogus’ maps featuring false place names allowed troops to familiarise themselves with planned invasion areas without revealing their true locations …
As a result, this bogus map needed no security classification. ‘Rugger’ is in fact Pegasus Bridge, an iconic structure over the Caen Canal captured early on D-Day by British forces after a daring night-time glider assault.
British India, 1946 …
The above are just a few examples of the wonderful, fascinating exhibits on display. You can book a ticket here.
Within about 15 minutes walk is the charming London Canal Museum …
An absolute delight! I’ll cover my visit in more detail in a later blog.
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