Fingolfin's Findings: IV. "I'm keen to know Tolkien's vision on [maps]."

British archaeology professor Howard Wiliams of the University of Chester (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) asked a most interesting question today on Twitter:

Quite quickly a very lively discussion ensued with Luke Shelton, Dimitra  Fimi, Jeremy Edmonds of the Tolkien Guide, Erik Mueller-Harder and  myself chiming in.