The Medieval Galleon in Miniature | Maritime Innovation in Miniature Series 2

This is a model of an unknown galleon from northern Europe- that dates from the 1590s. It is a ‘votive’ ship model – meaning that the model was built to be displayed in a church, by suspending the vessel from the roof so that it appears to float in the air above the congregation, a practice that
was known throughout Christian Europe.

The model was probably built between 1590 and 1610, possibly in the Low Countries. Originally it hung in Stockholm Cathedral. It is the oldest such ship model in Scandinavia. Votive ships were given as gifts by seamen, as a token of gratitude for a safe return from a hazardous voyage.

It’s a powerful reminder of how dangerous seafaring was, how safety was once secured by faith alone. It was also an important way of keeping the distant maritime world at the forefront of people’s daily lives.

With a ship on display in such a striking manner it was much more difficult to ignore the plight of seafarers: models like this kept lives at sea a hot topic.

The model’s dimensions are slightly out of proportion from how the actual ship would have appeared –because it was designed to be viewed from below. The shape of the hull has been unrealistically reduced.

The wavy line painted on the lower portion of the hull indicates the waterline. Although not an exact recreation of a galleon it is nonetheless it is strongly suggestive of the design features that made galleons these ships a success – the invention of the galleon was one of the most significant innovations in maritime the entire history of shipbuilding.

What made the galleon stand out from its predecessor – the carrack – was the comparatively longer and narrower lines of her hull. Together with the lowering of the carrack’s forecastle galleons were more stable, manoeuvrable and faster – which made them more versatile.

They were used for both trade and war and became the prototype of the purpose-built, broadside-armed warship that dominated maritime history for the next three hundred years and changed the world.

The hull is lavishly decorated with miniature portraits; perhaps passengers peering out. Among these figures are monks, a merchant, a sad looking fellow with a big nose, a black chorister. Set above them and towards the stern – the area of the ship set aside for officers and favoured passengers we see several women: a harp-playing lady, another looking at herself in a mirror and one with an exotic bird perched on her hand.

The painted decorations include wine leaves pillars, roaring lions and mythical creatures. Here we have griffins which were half eagle and half lion and also basilisks, a type of legendary serpent.

It’s all a bit Harry Potter but the depiction of basilisks is particularly interesting as they were used as a symbol of protestant heresy during the religious wars of this period that grew out of the reformation and ravaged northern Europe.

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[p.b.]

Hanging it in the air, what an idea! It reminds me of Disney's Treasure Planet. I have been building HMS Victory for three years, if it will look that good 500 years from now, then I'm satisfied.