Camden's Britannia

Introduction

            First published in Latin in 1586, this immense tome was the first guidebook and gazetteer of Britain, or "chorography" in the language of the time. Camden has described every town and village, castle and mansion, earthwork and ruin in Britain. He spent several years in research. He learned Welsh (which he calls British) and Anglo-Saxon, and travelled over all England. In his own words "I have conferred with most skilful observers in each county…. I have been diligent in the records of this realm. I have looked into most libraries, registers and memorials of churches, cities and corporations, I have pored upon many an old roll and evidence". He continued to produce expanded editions throughout his life. In this he was helped by his day job as Clarenceux King of Arms, i.e. chief herald of England south of the Trent, which gave him access to documentation going back to the Norman Conquest and even before. A best-seller in Latin, it  was soon translated into English, and was immensely popular. There were many subsequent translations and expanded editions. It is part of our Gossip in a Library project -- see here for Gosse's article.

            The book is so large that we have split it into seven parts, each a substantial book. Here we present the first five parts. The other 2 will follow at intervals throughout this year and next.

 

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