|
Dave's Mythical Creatures and Places |
Isle of Brasil
Also called Bersil, Brazir, O'Brasil, O'Brassil, Breasil, Brasylle, Hy-Brazil, or Hi-Brasil. This fictitious island was one of the most persistent, appearing on on maps for more than 500 years. The source of the name is unknown, but it may come from the Celtic words "breas" and "ail" (loosely translated to mean the most best), or from a medieval term for a dye plant.
One of its first appearances was as a disc shaped island on the Dalorto map of 1325. It appeared in 2 locations on the Pizigani map of 1367. It is generally located in the Atlantic, west of Ireland, although it appears in many different locations (see below.) From the 1600's onward, it shifted to a location closer to America. It appeared on some maps up until the 1870's.
Sometimes it appears as a ring with islands in the middle, or as 2 close islands with a channel between them (as above, Magini map c.1597 see the rest of the map.) Very often it appears near its sister island, Maydas.
Gutierrez map of 1562
Additional pictures:
Off Ireland- Canepa, 1489
Wagenhaer, 1583
Off Spain- Blaeu, 1617.
