William Camden’s Britannia was first published in 1586. In it, Camden documents Britain’s ancient pre-Roman past using a vast array of source material, transforming historical thinking with his efforts to remain objective. Britannia received immediate recognition and Camden produced five more editions, expanding on his work. This is a copy of the 5th edition published in 1600. It was dedicated to Elizabeth I, who had appointed Camden Clarenceux King of Arms in 1597; Camden later became the Elizabeth’s first biographer. The binding stamp of Elizabeth I appears on the covers of this copy of Britannia, and it was acquired for the Royal Library with the belief that it had belonged to the Tudor Queen.

Binding information

Contemporary dark brown calf binding. Design identical on both sides: three outer blind-tooled fillet borders; central gold-tooled rose surmounted by a crown and flanked by two vines issuing from the side of the rose. Identical tool used on RCIN 1121305 (Add B 7.04 [Add B 7.04 has additional initials 'E. S.' either side of rose]).

Spine divided in five compartments with raised bands; blind-tooled fillet border on either side of bands; later piece of red leather added to second compartment of spine, with gold-tooled roll border of diamonds and the title tooled in gold: 'CAMBDEN BRITTAN'.