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Pont Maps of Scotland, ca. 1583-1614 - Symbols and Abbreviations
Symbols frequently used by Pont are shown below. The use of standardised
symbols was in its infancy in Pont's day, and he is not consistent in his
use of symbols. It should also be noted that some symbols on the maps were
added by others particularly Robert Gordon after Pont's death.
See also:
Abbreviations
The following are some of Pont's most frequently-used abbreviations:
- B = Baron, Bridge
- E = East, Easter
- G = Gudeman
- K = Kirk
- L = Laird, Loch
- La = Laird
- M = Master
- N = North, Nether
- O = Over
- R = River
- W = West, Wester
- : = abbreviation, eg. La: §: = Laird of...
- ~ = letter(s) omitted - usually an 'm' or 'n' at the end of a word.
- A line or dotted line may link a name with a particular location or symbol
Key
Pont seems to have been familiar with the concept of a key to symbols or 'characters'. On one of his maps, Pont map <36>, he provides his own key to some of his symbols. It is reproduced below, accompanied by a transcription of the Latin text and an English translation provided by Dr Jeffrey C. Stone and Ian C. Cunningham.
-
Characteres
Characters
Locorum qualitates
the kinds of places
invincem dn in Tabula
in the map
invicem distinguentes
distinguished by turn
Ecclesia Parochialis
Parish church
aedium effigies
representation of building
et formam
and its shape
Turris
Tower
punctorum series in Turribus
series of dots in towers
et aliis aedificiorum figuris
and other drawings of buildings
gradus altitudinis domorum [demonstrans?]
showing stages of height of the houses