John Smith Gallery

Magnus Olaus, Archbishop of Uppsala, (1490 - 1557). Historia de gentibus septentrionalibus [The history of the Northern Nations]. Rome: Ioannem Mariam de Viottis Parmensem, 1555. [D.10.26]

Olaus Magnus's monumental work was the first such study to describe thoroughly the Nordic countries. Northern regions had hitherto been deemed a "terra incognita." Based upon a journey undertaken in 1518-19, Magnus relayed to Renaissance Europe three "truths" concerning the Nordic countries: they are the cradle of warfare, the haunt of demons, and the realm of cold. Long after its initial publication the work retained popularity as an unrivalled source on Swedish matters, not least, on account of its 500 woodcuts depicting Swedish people, customs and folk-lore, many of which were made by Magnus himself.