Maps have often been used for propaganda purposes. This one is a very explicit example of such a technique. The Netherlands had been fighting Spain for its independence for many years and as with most conflicts of this time religion was a key factor.

The human figures next to the title clearly show who the mapmaker felt were the friends and foe in this conflict. The armoured 'Christian' knight is the protestant fighting bravely against 'vanity', 'sin', 'carnal weakness', 'the devil' and 'death' all of which are symbolically linked here to Catholicism and the Spanish enemy.

The 'message' of the map was probably at least as important as its geographical detail in these unsettled times.